New Delhi: A Qatar Airways flight going from Delhi to Doha flight made an emergency landing in Pakistan’s Karachi “due to indication of smoke in the cargo hold”, the airline said. The flight – QR579 – carried over 100 passengers. The airline said another flight was arranged to take the passengers to Doha.
“Flight QR579 from Delhi to Doha on March 21st diverted to Karachi has declared an emergency due to indication of smoke detected in the cargo hold. Aircraft landed safely in Karachi where it was met by emergency services and passengers disembarked,” Qatar Airways said.
The flight took off from Delhi at 3.50 am and landed in Karachi 1.15 hours after its departure at 5.45 am. It was supposed to land in Doha at 7.15 am. A spokesperson for the airline said the Qatar Airways flight QR579 was diverted to Karachi after an emergency was declared due to the indication of smoke in the cargo hold.
“The aircraft landed safely at Karachi where it was met by emergency services and passengers disembarked orderly via stairs.” The airline said the incident was under investigation and a separate flight was being arranged to fly the passengers from Karachi to Doha. “We apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers who will be assisted with their onward travel plans.”