Air India aircraft flying to San Francisco lands in Russia’s Siberia after engine downside

NEW DELHI — An Air India aircraft flying from New Delhi to San Francisco was diverted to Russia after it developed an engine downside, the airline stated Wednesday.

The aircraft, a Boeing 777 carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, landed safely at Russia’s Magadan airport in Siberia within the nation’s far east on Tuesday, Air India stated in an announcement.

The flight “developed a technical issue with one of its engines,” it stated, including that the plane was present process security checks and the passengers have been being supplied help on the bottom.

The airline stated later Wednesday {that a} alternative plane had taken off from Mumbai and was flying to Magadan so the stranded passengers might proceed their journey to the U.S.

The plane will take the passengers to San Francisco on Thursday, it stated.

Vedant Patel, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, stated American residents have been seemingly on the flight however couldn’t instantly verify what number of.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation,” Patel stated.

Girvaan Singh Kahma, 16, was touring on the flight together with his uncle and brother. He stated they’re barred from leaving the hostel the place they’re staying in Magadan and may’t use their bank cards to purchase issues due to sanctions over Russia’s conflict on Ukraine.

“The first day and a half was really hard for all of us,” he stated. “The weather went to 3 to 4 degrees (Celsius) in the morning, and in the night it was bitter cold,” he stated, including that it was getting higher with meals and a spot to sleep.

“The Russian soldiers, the Russian police, the authorities, everyone working in the hostel has been treating us extremely well,” he stated.

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