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Abandoned at a Military Airbase; 200 Indians Stranded for 30 Hours After Virgin Atlantic’s London-Mumbai Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Turkey
A Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Mumbai had to make an emergency landing at Diyarbakir Airport in Turkey on April 2. Among the 250 passengers are 200 Indians who have been stranded at the airport for the last 30 hours.
The emergency landing had to be made mid-flight after a passenger required urgent medical attention. However, Diyarbakir Airport is a military airport with no arrangements for food or toilets. Passengers have been forced to stay in a small space and are not allowed to move around.
According to passenger accounts, the Virgin Atlantic flight crew left soon after the plane landed and was shifted to a hotel, while the passengers were left to fend for themselves. The passengers also alleged that Virgin Atlantic asked them to arrange onward travel on their own.
My family along with 250+ passengers have been inhumanely treated by @virginatlantic .
— Hanuman Dass (@HanumanDassGD) April 3, 2025
Why is this chaos not being covered in the @BBCWorld or global media?? Over 30 hours confined at a military airport in Turkey.
In contact with the @ukinturkiye to please more pressure needed pic.twitter.com/TIIHgE07bb
According to reports, VS358 departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11:40 a.m. local time on April 2 and was scheduled to land at Mumbai Airport at 1:20 a.m. on April 3. However, at around 7 p.m. local time, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Diyarbakir Airport when a passenger required medical attention.
In another twist to the whole incident, Virgin Atlantic stated that the aircraft had a hard landing and was unfit to fly due to a technical issue.
The UK-based airline said in a statement on Thursday,
“We are actively exploring all options, including the operation of an alternative aircraft, to ensure customers can reach Mumbai as soon as possible.”
However, the passengers painted a grim picture of the situation at the airport. The airport lacked basic amenities like toilets, charging points for devices, and also did not have adequate food.
AAP leader Preeti Sharma-Menon on X said,
“It’s been 24 hours and not a single airline representative has met the passengers. They have barely any food, one toilet amongst 275 pax, phones running out of batteries as they don’t have Turkish adapters. There are babies, pregnant women, diabetics, and old people in this ordeal.”
The Indian Embassy in Turkey has stated that it is in contact with Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Diyarbakir Airport Directorate, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey.
A post on its X account stated that it is in contact with the authorities to solve the issues and make alternative arrangements to ferry the stranded passengers to Mumbai.
The passengers also revealed that Virgin Atlantic initially offered to reimburse travelers if they could reach Istanbul and then fly back to Mumbai. However, Istanbul is nearly 1,400 kilometers away, and there is no direct commercial flight from Diyarbakir to India.
X user Sanjay Shah wrote on X,
“My family member is stuck in Diyarbakir. She was visiting to meet her father, who has a weak medical condition. Why such cheap behavior from a top aviation company? No food, no water. All the cabin crew vanished after landing.”
Another X user, Satyam Surana, lamented how @VirginAtlantic failed to update the passengers and their kin and did not support the stranded passengers, which included women, senior citizens, and babies.
Also Read: Mumbai to Dubai in 2 Hours? The Ambitious Underwater Rail Link That Could Revolutionize Travel!
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India Seizes 3 US-Sanctioned Oil Tankers Near Mumbai Over Suspected Iran-Linked Transfers
India has reportedly seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers — Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia — off the Mumbai coast after detecting suspicious ship-to-ship transfers within its EEZ. The move comes amid a wider crackdown on illegal maritime oil trade and sanctions evasion linked to Iran.
According to sources familiar with the matter, India has seized three oil tankers: Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia.
These were sanctioned by the US and suspected of having links to Iran.
This incident comes amid a major crackdown on illegal maritime oil trade.
Interceptions off the Mumbai Coast
Indian authorities reportedly intercepted three vessels in February 2026, approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after detecting suspicious ship-to-ship transfer activity within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
These operations are believed to have been used to conceal the origin of the oil cargo and evade coastal law enforcement.
It’s worth noting that security sources told Reuters that the tankers frequently changed their identities to avoid detection.
This tactic is often employed by ships seeking to evade sanctions. It’s reported that these ships are owned by foreign entities making surveillance difficult.
International Sanctions and Oil Smuggling Concerns
Surprisingly last year, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) banned ships named Global Peace, Chill 1, and Glory Star 1.
These ships reportedly have the same IMO numbers as the ships now seized by India. Shipping data shows that the Al Jafzia transported Iranian fuel oil to Djibouti in 2025.
The Stellar Ruby flew an Iranian flag. However the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) denies any connection between the tankers, their cargo and its operations.
According to shipping intelligence, the Asphalt Star was mostly active in routes around China, revealing global movement patterns of such vessels.
Surveillance Efforts Stepped Up
In response to these incidents the Indian Coast Guard has significantly increased its maritime surveillance.
Approximately 55 ships and 10-12 aircraft have been deployed to monitor activities in Indian waters and prevent future illegal activities.
Officials say this move demonstrates India’s determination to keep its waters free from illegal oil trade and unauthorized ship-to-ship transfers. This could undermine international sanctions regimes and complicate enforcement efforts.
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Mumbai Silver Rates Update February 17, 2026
Silver Rates in Mumbai Today
Silver price for 10 grams in Mumbai is Rs 2,679. For 100 grams, it is Rs 26,790. If you want 1 kg of silver, the rate is Rs 2,67,900.
Silver is more affordable than gold and many people in Mumbai buy it for small savings, gifts, or household use. People often buy silver coins or small bars during festivals like Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya. Silver is also used in jewellery, but not as much as gold. Some families buy silver utensils for special occasions.
Rates change every day. Bank rates, shop rates, and online rates may not always match. Check with your local jeweller before buying. In Mumbai, silver usually costs a bit more than in smaller towns, mostly because of higher taxes and making charges. Transport and demand also play a small part.
There is no GST on old silver you sell, but new silver jewellery has 3% GST. If you buy silver in a shop, ask for the receipt. It helps if you want to sell it later.
Don’t expect to make quick profit from silver. Prices move slowly and sometimes even go down for weeks. Silver is good for long-term savings, not for daily trading. If you buy big amounts, store them safely. Silver can get black stains if not kept in dry place.
Most people in Mumbai still buy silver the traditional way—from stores or trusted jewellers. Some try online, but not everyone is comfortable. Always check the current rate before you buy, as it keeps changing.
That’s the simple truth about silver rates in Mumbai today.
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Mumbai Gold Rates Update February 17, 2026
Gold rates in Mumbai today are: Gold 24k: Rs 1,56,430 for 10 grams. Gold 22k: Rs1,43,390 for 10 grams. Gold 18k: Rs 1,17,320 for 10 grams.
These prices keep changing throughout the day. Shops in Zaveri Bazaar, one of Mumbai’s oldest gold markets, usually follow these prices. You’ll find that actual charges can be a bit different in each shop because of making charges, GST, or small fees.
In Mumbai, a lot of people buy gold for weddings, festivals, and investments. It is easy to check gold rates online or by asking in jewellery markets. Most families still prefer to check rates themselves before buying, especially during big festivals like Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya. Sometimes, prices go up if demand is high because Mumbai is a big centre for the gold trade.
Gold rates in Mumbai mostly depend on international market prices and the Indian Rupee’s value. If the rupee becomes weak, gold becomes more expensive. If there is some international issue, gold prices go up quickly. Many sellers in Mumbai update their rates two or three times every day.
If you are buying gold, always check for hallmarks. This shows the gold is pure. 24k gold is purest, but it is soft, so people often buy 22k for jewellery. 18k gold is usually used for modern styles or lightweight ornaments.
Prices might look high now. But many people in Mumbai still choose to invest in gold for safety. Always check the latest price before deciding. And, ask for a bill for every purchase. This helps if you want to sell or exchange the gold later.
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