According to an exclusive report by the news site Haberhurriyeti, Ali Çelikten, an employee of TGS, the ground services company at Istanbul Airport, was accidentally left inside the cargo hold of a THY flight bound for Athens while loading baggage. Çelikten, who fought for survival at 11,000 metres altitude and -25 degrees Celsius, remained in the air for nearly an hour. The incident was discovered upon reviewing security camera footage, prompting the aircraft to return from Greek airspace.
Negligence Brought Him to the Brink of Death
Details of the shocking incident, which has been referred to the prosecutor’s office, reveal that on the night of 15th December 2024, Ali Çelikten was working overtime at Istanbul Airport. During his extended shift on 16th December, he was loading baggage with a seven-member team for flight TK 1843 to Athens. While stacking luggage in the cargo hold, his colleagues closed the doors, inadvertently trapping him inside.
Çelikten tried to signal that he was locked in by banging on the fuselage and shouting, but the engine noise drowned out his cries for help. As the plane took off, he huddled among the luggage, struggling to avoid freezing to death.
Discovered Through Security Footage
Allegedly, after take-off, his colleagues realised Çelikten was missing. Initially assuming he had gone to the toilet, they began searching for him when he failed to reappear. Upon checking the security cameras, they discovered footage of Çelikten locked inside the cargo hold. The control tower at the airport was immediately contacted, and the pilot was informed.
Returned from Greek Airspace
The THY flight, which had entered Greek airspace over the Aegean Sea, was redirected to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport for an emergency landing after receiving information that a person was in the cargo hold. The plane landed after approximately an hour in the air.
Found on the Verge of Freezing
When the plane landed at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Çelikten was found on the brink of freezing in the cargo hold. Paramedics intervened, and after 3.5 hours of medical treatment, partial functionality was restored to both his legs.
Receiving Psychological Treatment
Surviving the incident, Çelikten is now receiving psychological support and has started medication. A neurological examination revealed he had suffered a concussion, and narrowing of the brain’s blood vessels was detected.
Filed a Complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office
Following the incident, Çelikten gave a statement to the police and was hastily sent back to Istanbul by TGS. Through his lawyer, Didem Kılıç, he filed a complaint with the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against TGS Ground Services Inc. and the responsible parties.
