Ground staff member forgotten in THY plane survives near-death experience: He recounts his ordeal!

During the baggage loading process for a Turkish Airlines (THY) flight from Istanbul to Athens, ground services personnel Ali Çelikten was working alongside his teammates. After the loading process was completed and his colleagues closed the cargo doors to prepare the plane, Çelikten remained inside the cargo hold without being noticed.

Unable to make his voice heard once the engines started, Çelikten realized the plane was moving and took shelter among the luggage to avoid freezing. When the plane reached an altitude of 11 thousand meters, the temperature inside dropped to -25 degrees. He struggled to survive for approximately 1 hour in the enclosed, airless environment.

COLLEAGUES REVIEWED THE CAMERAS

Shortly after the plane took off, his teammates on the ground noticed that Ali Çelikten had disappeared. They first waited, thinking he was in the restroom. However, when they could not reach him for a long time, they reviewed the security cameras. The footage confirmed that Çelikten had been trapped in the cargo hold.

The control tower was immediately informed. The pilots were notified while they were in Greek airspace, and the plane's route was changed for an emergency landing.

DIVERTED TO IZMIR FOR EMERGENCY LANDING

The THY plane turned back over the Aegean Sea and made an emergency landing at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport after a flight of approximately 1 hour. Medical teams immediately intervened to assist Ali Çelikten, who was on the verge of freezing in the cargo hold. His body had been severely affected by the cold. It was reported that after approximately 3.5 hours of medical treatment, both of his legs partially regained their function.

''I AM RECEIVING PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT''

Responding to the accusations and speculations directed at him on his social media account following the incident, Ali Çelikten described the desperation he experienced with these words:

“I am the person in question. I have thoughts of going abroad, but not like this! I was forgotten on the plane. That night, my phone was charging in the jet bridge elevator. Since I had just finished the night shift, my phone's battery was also low. I was trapped for hours in an airless, cold-exposed area. So much so that I could do nothing but cry inside. I am receiving psychological support; I have become unemployed. Now I am going from hospital to hospital. Those who say to me ‘he was trying to seek asylum,’ I don't think they could last even 1 minute in those conditions.”

News Source: 12punto