In a post on its X account, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait confirmed that a team was on the ground to assist the stranded passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers were accommodated in two airport lounges, and efforts were made to place them in an airport hotel, though it was unavailable due to the GCC Summit. The embassy explained in the post that Indian nationals do not benefit from the visa-on-arrival facility in Kuwait, and all government offices were closed due to the summit. It announced on Monday morning that the flight to Manchester had “finally” departed at 4:34 am, and the embassy team was on the ground until the flight departed.

Gulf Air has not yet commented on the incident. According to passengers, the flight, which was traveling from Bahrain to Manchester after departing from Mumbai, had been airborne for nearly two hours when the emergency landing was announced. Arzoo Singh explained that the engine was on fire and there was smoke. After landing, passengers repeatedly requested a place to sit, but everyone was left sitting on the floor. She said that many passengers had important commitments, with some needing to reach the UK for work the following day, and they had been trying to contact the embassy for assistance.