An Air India crew member was attacked by an intruder in a London hotel, sparking calls for improved security measures.
Case of attack on Air India crew: An Air India flight attendant was allegedly attacked by an intruder in a London hotel earlier this week. The incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Radisson Red Hotel near London’s Heathrow Airport.
According to The Hindu, the attacker was arrested and handed over to the police. The injured crew member was taken to a hospital and is now on his way back to Mumbai.
The Times of India reported an unidentified source saying that the attack took place just after midnight when crew members of several Air India flights were staying at the hotel. The source explained, “The crew member was sleeping when an intruder attacked her in her room at around 1:30 am. She was frightened, woke up and screamed for help. He attacked her with a coat hanger and dragged her across the floor while she tried to escape towards the door.”
The source added that the crew member suffered significant bruising in the attack and that the intruder attempted to flee but was caught. Police were called and the injured crew member was taken to a hospital. Due to her injuries, she was unable to fly back and a friend of the crew stayed with her for support.
According to The Hindu, the airline’s crew had earlier complained about inadequate security measures at the hotel, including dark corridors, an unmanned reception and miscreants knocking on doors. A statement from the pilots stressed the need for heightened vigilance in certain areas of the UK, including London. “Public order in some parts of the UK, including London, requires vigilance from everyone. We avoid going out alone in London after late evening these days. Only hotels with foolproof security systems must be selected for crew members’ stay, especially if these accommodations are not in the centre but in the outskirts of London,” the pilots said.
Air India confirmed the incident and said the airline is providing all possible support to the crew member, including professional counseling. An Air India spokesperson stressed that the airline is committed to the safety and well-being of its crew members and employees and asked for the privacy of those affected to be respected.
The spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the unlawful break-in at a hotel belonging to a major international chain, which affected one of our crew members. We are providing all possible support, including professional counselling, to our colleague and his team. Air India is also working with the local police to pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law and with the hotel management to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.”
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