Qatar Airways Passenger Dies Due to Lack of Vegetarian Menu: Details of the Tragedy.

Tragedy on Board Qatar Airways

According to The Sun: A passenger adhering to a vegetarian diet died from asphyxiation after being told on a Qatar Airways flight to 'manage without meat.' 85-year-old Asuka Jayaweera ordered a vegetarian meal, but his family claims he did not receive it.

Situation On Board

Asuka Jayaweera, a cardiologist from Southern California, was traveling from Los Angeles to Colombo, Sri Lanka. According to a recently filed lawsuit, flight attendants advised him to 'manage without meat' during the meal service. On June 23, 2023, when the tragedy occurred, his relatives reported that he began to choke.

The lawsuit states:

“Mr. Jayaweera was a strict vegetarian and ordered a vegetarian meal.”

Asuka's son, Surya, recounts that a steward tried to offer a regular dish, claiming that no special options were left. As a result, his father attempted to 'manage without meat,' leading to the incident.

Emergency Assistance Problems

Crew members attempted to provide medical assistance by contacting MedAire for remote emergency consultation. Meanwhile, the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing.

According to the lawsuit, the aircraft could not land as it was allegedly flying over the Arctic. However, Surya claims that the plane was actually flying over the American Midwest.

The lawsuit indicates that during the incident, Professor Jayaweera's oxygen saturation level was 69%, which is dangerous.

Death and Consequences

The plane landed in Edinburgh, but Minister Jayaweera lost consciousness three and a half hours later. His son notes that his father died from aspiration pneumonia caused by food or liquid entering the lungs.

Surya is now seeking compensation for negligence and wrongful death.

This tragic event highlights the importance of proper catering arrangements on board aircraft, especially for passengers with special dietary requirements. It also raises questions about the accountability of airlines in emergency situations that require prompt response.