By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
New Delhi: A 13-year-old boy from Kunduz, Afghanistan, survived a life-threatening journey hidden in the wheel well of a Kam Air flight from Kabul to Delhi on Sunday morning, airport officials said. The incident shocked aviation authorities and highlighted the extreme risks some children take in pursuit of a better life or escape from conflict zones.
Discovery at Delhi Airport
The boy was discovered walking near the aircraft after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Airport staff immediately alerted the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who detained him for questioning. He was unharmed but appeared exhausted and disoriented. Officials found a small red audio speaker in the landing gear compartment, which is believed to belong to the boy.
“Stowaway attempts like this are incredibly rare and extremely dangerous,” said a CISF spokesperson. “At the cruising altitude of a commercial flight, temperatures in the wheel well can drop below -50°C, and oxygen levels are critically low, making survival highly unlikely.”
The Risks of Wheel-Well Stowaways
Aviation experts note that children hiding in wheel wells face multiple life-threatening hazards. Besides freezing temperatures and hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), wheel-well stowaways risk severe injury during gear retraction and extension, high-speed airflow, and sudden depressurisation. Most stowaways do not survive such journeys, making this boy’s survival a rare and extraordinary case.
Dr. Ravi Mehra, an aviation safety consultant, explained: “Even a short flight can be fatal. The body cannot cope with the low temperatures and lack of oxygen for long. Survival depends on multiple factors, including luck and body physiology. This child’s safe arrival is exceptional.”
Background and Possible Motives
The boy reportedly intended to travel to Iran for family reasons but mistakenly boarded the Kabul–Delhi flight. Afghanistan has seen ongoing instability and economic hardship, prompting many families to seek opportunities abroad, sometimes through risky and illegal means.
Officials are also exploring whether the boy was acting independently or influenced by others. “We are coordinating with Afghan authorities to understand the circumstances that led to this incident,” said a senior airport official. “The child’s welfare is our primary concern, and we ensured he was repatriated safely on the same flight to Kabul.”
Security Measures and Aviation Response
Following the incident, airport authorities are reviewing security protocols to prevent stowaways. While wheel-well compartments are not designed to be accessed by passengers, the incident exposed potential lapses in pre-flight security checks and boarding area surveillance.
Kam Air, the operator of the flight, confirmed cooperation with Indian authorities and stated that the flight crew had no prior knowledge of the stowaway. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. We are reviewing the incident in coordination with airport authorities,” a company spokesperson said.
Public Reaction and Wider Implications
News of the boy’s survival sparked reactions across social media, with many praising the child’s resilience while expressing concern over the risks children face in conflict zones. Some commentators highlighted the broader challenges of migration and the need for safe and legal pathways for vulnerable children.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for international agencies and governments to focus on child welfare in conflict regions,” said child rights activist Anjali Sharma. “No child should have to risk death to reach safety or opportunity.”
The boy’s story also drew attention to the bravery and quick response of airport staff who discovered him, ensuring that he was taken care of immediately. Both Indian and Afghan authorities emphasised collaboration to handle such unusual incidents humanely and efficiently.
This daredevil afgan boy flew to delhi from kabul hiding in wheel well, for 90 minutes of flight time, defied oxygen deficiency and extreme cold temperature. Officials have sent him back to afganistan in the same returning plane of #kamair after proper enquiry. pic.twitter.com/7M1nwGo8lg
— Prashant Ranjan (@pranjan21) September 23, 2025
The 13-year-old Afghan boy’s survival is being hailed as extraordinary, but it also underscores the grave dangers faced by children in war-torn regions attempting risky migration. Indian authorities have repatriated him safely, and investigations continue into how the incident occurred. Aviation experts and child welfare advocates alike stress the need for preventive measures and greater international cooperation to protect vulnerable children.
