Stowaway Found in Critical Condition in France

30 Dec, 2023

Stowaway Found in Critical Condition in France

The recent discovery of a man concealed in the undercarriage of an airplane arriving in France from Algeria has captured attention due to the critical condition in which he was found. The flight, originating from Oran and concluding at Paris's Orly airport, took a harrowing turn when airport staff made the alarming discovery. The man, detected in the landing gear compartment, was found to be severely afflicted by hypothermia, as relayed by an airport source through AFP news agency. Compounding the situation, the individual lacked any form of identification, leaving authorities unable to ascertain his precise age, with reports suggesting an age range from 15 to 30 years old. Hastily transported to Henri-Mondor hospital in Créteil, the man's dire state necessitated intensive care.

The endeavor to travel within an airplane's undercarriage is fraught with grave risks. The starkly plummeting temperatures experienced during flights, potentially as low as -63C (-81F), contribute to severe hypothermia, while the restricted oxygen supply poses lethal dangers. This recent incident echoes previous occurrences where stowaways have met tragic fates. In 2019, an individual was discovered deceased in London after falling from a flight's landing gear, and in 2022, another stowaway was found alive in Amsterdam.

These distressing incidents underscore the inherent peril and life-threatening consequences associated with clandestinely attempting air travel within the confined and perilous spaces of aircraft landing gear compartments. The risks are not only severe but have repeatedly led to tragic outcomes, highlighting the desperation and dangers faced by individuals undertaking such perilous journeys.