Lightning Hits Indigo Flight at Kolkata Airport
Aircraft power-off forces deboarding as monsoon storms lash the city and north Bengal
Kolkata: Two Indigo ground staff were injured on Friday morning at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here when lightning struck an Agartala-bound A-320 aircraft of the private airline, carrying 147 persons, including six crew members, shortly before its take-off. The aircraft (VT-IPW) was operating Flight 6E 6068 of the airline.
The two ground staff were rushed to a nearby private hospital for treatment while the passengers and crew were deboarded as a precautionary measure since the aircraft experienced a power-off after the lightning strike, an Airport Authority of India spokesperson said.
The affected duo was released after a medical check-up, he added. The incident took place between 9.25 am and 9.35 am following the closure of boarding when the aircraft was on Stand 56L. The airport was being soaked by the first spell of monsoon rain, coupled with thunderstorms.
The passengers were accommodated in another Indigo aircraft, which took off at 12.50 pm.
Meanwhile, North Bengal was affected by a heavy downpour since Thursday night. In Darjeeling, a landslide hit a part of National Highway 110 and brought toy train service in the hills to a halt. At Dudhia, a bridge was swept away in the high river current. Most of the rivers have been overflowing.
In Dooars, a four-year-old kid died at Bholanala of Hasimara. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the victim's family. The met department issued a red alert in many districts of the region for the next 48 hours.
