A stowaway was discovered alive but in critical condition in the undercarriage bay of an Air Algeria airplane at Paris Orly airport on Thursday morning, December 28, as reported by a security source familiar with the situation, according to Reuters.
The individual was found to be in a life-threatening condition and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention, the source mentioned.
The flight in question originated from the western Algerian town of Oran, a journey lasting approximately two-and-a-half hours to reach Paris. The incident sheds light on the dangers and life-threatening conditions stowaways may face when attempting to clandestinely board aircraft in unpressurized wheel-houses and cargo holds.
These concealed spaces expose stowaways to extreme temperatures, ranging from minus 50 Celsius (minus 58 Fahrenheit) to minus 60 Celsius (minus 76 Fahrenheit), coupled with a severe lack of oxygen, making the situation perilous.
The risks associated with stowing away on an airplane became tragically evident in 2019 when the body of a suspected stowaway fell from a plane flying over southwest London. The individual’s remains landed in the garden of a man’s home, narrowly missing him as he sunbathed.
Another incident in 2015 involved the body of a stowaway on a British Airways flight from Johannesburg to Heathrow. The unfortunate event saw the body land on a shop in Richmond, southwest London, while a second stowaway miraculously survived the 10-hour flight, eventually being discovered in the undercarriage of the plane.
These instances highlight the grave risks associated with attempting to clandestinely travel in the inhospitable conditions of an airplane’s undercarriage. The unforgiving temperatures and lack of oxygen present severe threats to the life and well-being of those attempting such perilous journeys.
The discovery of a stowaway alive but in critical condition at Paris Orly airport underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities and airline personnel in preventing individuals from attempting these dangerous and life-threatening actions. The incident prompts a renewed focus on security measures and surveillance to deter such occurrences and ensure the safety of both passengers and those who may attempt unauthorized access to airplanes.