Varanasi, Oct 22 (Udaipur Kiran): An IndiGo Airlines flight travelling from Kolkata to Srinagar made an emergency landing at Varanasi Airport on Wednesday evening after the pilot reported a technical malfunction and fuel leakage mid-air.

According to airport sources, the aircraft, carrying over 160 passengers, sent a ‘Mayday’ message to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) shortly after entering Varanasi airspace. The pilot informed ATC that one of the engines had received a red signal warning due to fuel leakage.

Within minutes, the ATC cleared the flight for an emergency landing, and the aircraft was safely brought down on the runway around 4:10 p.m. Emergency teams immediately reached the spot and ensured that all 166 passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft.

An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “The flight from Kolkata to Srinagar was diverted to Varanasi due to a technical issue. All passengers are safe. Arrangements are being made to send them to Srinagar on another aircraft.”

All passengers were moved to the arrival hall as the airline’s technical team and airport authorities began inspecting the plane. The aircraft will only be cleared for flight after a detailed technical assessment and safety approval.

Officials said the airline has dispatched another flight to transport the stranded passengers to Srinagar later in the evening.