A dramatic and unsettling incident unfolded mid-air aboard an IndiGo Airline traveling from Mumbai to Kolkata, when a passenger suffering a panic attack was reportedly slapped by another co-passenger. The incident, which occurred on July 30, has sparked outrage on social media and raised serious concerns about mental health sensitivity, passenger conduct, and in-flight protocols.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts shared online, the IndiGo Airline — identified as 6E-6106 — was cruising at altitude when a young male passenger began exhibiting signs of acute distress. IndiGo Airline Passengers seated nearby reported that he was visibly anxious, breathing rapidly, and appeared to be having a panic attack. Cabin crew members were alerted and approached the man in an attempt to calm him down.
Eyewitnesses claim that despite the crew’s efforts, the man continued to panic, expressing fear that he was going to die. One fellow passenger, seated two rows behind, reportedly got up, approached the distressed man, and — to everyone’s shock — slapped him across the face. The physical assault caused uproar among nearby flyers, some of whom began filming the episode.
“It was shocking,” said one passenger who recorded part of the incident on their phone. “The man clearly needed help, not violence. Everyone was yelling after the slap. The crew had to step in again to control the situation.”
Social Media Reactions
As the footage from the flight began circulating online, netizens were quick to express anger and disbelief. While a few defended the slapper’s actions as a desperate attempt to “bring the man back to his senses,” the overwhelming majority condemned the response as inappropriate and harmful.
“Mental health emergencies need compassion, not aggression,” tweeted one user. “This is horrifying — someone having a panic attack gets slapped? Where are we headed as a society?”
Mental health advocates also chimed in, urging airlines to improve staff training and public awareness about handling such situations.
IndiGo Airlines Issues Statement
In response to the growing backlash, IndiGo Airline issued an official statement acknowledging the mid-air incident. The IndiGo Airline confirmed that a passenger experienced a panic attack and that there was a “disturbance” involving another traveler during the flight.
“Our cabin crew is trained to manage a wide range of in-flight situations, including medical emergencies and passenger disturbances,” the statement read. “In this instance, our crew acted in accordance with protocol and provided necessary assistance to the passenger in distress. IndiGo strongly condemns any form of violence onboard its aircraft and will review the conduct of the involved individuals as per our internal policies.”
The IndiGo Airline further stated that upon landing in Kolkata, medical personnel were immediately called in to assess the affected passenger, who was then safely escorted out of the airport with assistance.
While no FIR has been lodged as of now, legal experts say the passenger who resorted to physical assault could potentially face charges under civil aviation safety laws or the Indian Penal Code, depending on further investigation and statements from those onboard.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet commented but is expected to look into the incident.
As air travel resumes pre-pandemic normalcy, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for balancing safety, mental health awareness, and appropriate behavior in confined spaces like aircraft cabins.
