By Staff Reporter
ABU DHABI — A 51-year-old Indian national from Kerala has died after suffering a medical emergency aboard an Abu Dhabi-to-Bangalore flight, leaving behind a grieving family that includes five children, the youngest only three months old.
The deceased, identified as Yousafe Kunhammu, was travelling alone back to India on a visit visa when he reportedly became seriously ill shortly before the aircraft’s departure from Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Monday.
According to family members and airline sources, Yousafe experienced severe breathing difficulties moments before take-off. Cabin crew responded immediately and the pilot requested urgent medical assistance.
Medical personnel rushed to the aircraft and provided emergency treatment before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save his life, he was declared dead on arrival. Relatives believe he may have suffered a heart attack, although the exact cause of death has yet to be officially confirmed.
Yousafe’s nephew, who is based in Abu Dhabi, said the tragedy came as a shock to the family. He explained that Yousafe had visited the UAE several times in the past, often seeking employment and business opportunities.
Following standard aviation procedures, the passenger’s luggage was removed from the aircraft, resulting in a brief delay to the flight’s departure.
Although a native of Kerala, Yousafe had booked his journey to Bangalore before continuing to his hometown.
The sudden loss has devastated his family and relatives both in India and the UAE. His brothers and other family members living across different emirates travelled to Abu Dhabi after receiving news of the incident.
Yousafe is survived by his wife and five children. His mortal remains are currently being kept at a mortuary while arrangements are being made to repatriate his body to Kerala for burial.
The incident comes amid a series of sudden deaths involving Indian nationals in the UAE. In recent days, two expatriates reportedly died from suspected cardiac-related incidents while participating in sporting activities in Ajman and Dubai, raising concerns about the increasing number of such cases among relatively young individuals.
