Biman flight makes emergency landing in India following pilot's mid-air heart attack

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight travelling from Muscat to Dhaka had to make an emergency landing in Nagpur, India on Friday after the pilot suffered a cardiac arrest mid-flight.

With 124 passengers on board, the flight, BG022, made the emergency landing at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at 10:40am local time, according to a Biman press release.

The pilot, Captain Nawshad Ataul Quaiyum, was admitted to the emergency department of a local hospital and his health is improving, Biman said, adding that all passengers of the flight are safe.

The plane was in Raipur when it contacted Kolkata air traffic control for an emergency landing and was advised to land at the airport in Nagpur.

An eight-member rescue team is scheduled to leave for Nagpur at 6:45pm to bring the stranded passengers to Bangladesh.