Abu Dhabi: A four-year-old Indian boy died onboard an Oman Air flight while returning from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah, Khaleej Times reported.
Yahya Puthiyapurayil developed epileptic seizures 45 minutes after take-off from Jeddah on a flight bound for Kozhikode in Kerala.
The flight made an emergency landing in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon after the tragic incident, confirmed the airline.
The boy, who had a mild fever while boarding the flight from Jeddah, developed epileptic seizures mid-air and died on his mother's lap.
Yahya, a child with special needs, is the son of Muhammad Ali and Jubairiah, who were also travelling with the boy. The couple have three children and Yahya was the youngest.
He was travelling on a wheel chair with a 13-member family pilgrimage group including his parents, uncles and cousins.
An Indian embassy official said the boy's body was repatriated early Tuesday on an Etihad flight. The body reached his home in Kannur district and burial was done by noon.