A Turkish Airlines flight diverted to Algeria after a man was found dead in the aircraft lavatory, having committed suicide.
Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts To Algeria After Onboard Suicide
The incident occurred on July 25, 2023 onboard a Boeing 737-MAX 8 (tail number TC-LCJ) traveling from Istanbul (IST) to Marrakech (RAK) as TK619.
Shortly after takeoff, a man locked himself in a lavatory. He remained for several minutes before flight attendants began knocking on the door. After receiving no response, flight attendants entered the lavatory and found the passenger had taken his own life. While it is not clear how the act was committed, it was clear that this was self-inflicted.
Flight attendants found a physician onboard, who attempted to administer first aid, but it was too late: the man was dead.
As a result, the aircraft diverted to Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, Algeria. There, Algerian authorities took custody of the body and after completing the necessary formalities, the flight continued to Marrakech.
I’ve dealt with suicide this year in a very personal way and every time I hear stories about suicide, I am saddened. We really have no idea what this passenger was going through that prompted him to take his life in an aircraft lavatory, but we can mourn the loss and also use this tragedy as a reminder to check in on those loved ones around us who may be vulnerable.
For my US readers, keep in mind the suicide prevention hotline is 988 (+1-800-SUICIDE outside the USA). This number can be texted as well.
CONCLUSION
A Turkish Airlines flight diverted to Algeria after a man took his own life in the aircraft lavatory. Although flight attendants and a doctor onboard tried to revive him, it was too late. The flight ultimately arrived in Marrakech a few hours late.
Very sad, and I echo your thoughts about checking in on our loved ones.
Sad. And even after Crosby, Stills & Nash made it sound like a magical place to visit.
A few questions I guess. It’s confirmed that he locked himself in the bathroom right after takeoff. But the plane then landed in Algiers? That’s three hours into the flight. Apparently by accounts in the article you linked they were trying to enter the lav repeatedly over a long period of time. Huh? Flight attendants have the ability to open the lav in two seconds if they choose. Traumatic and tragic for everyone indeed.
Those lavatories are tiny. I would assume the man fell to the floor, thus blocking the door, so even if the door were unlocked, it would be very difficult to open.
The lavatory door swings outward. So, no, there would not be any difficulty in opening the door.
Another one bites the dust
RIP
Wow. Hard to grasp how low one would have to get for suicide in an airplane lavatory en route to Morocco to seemingly be your best option. Poor soul.
At least it wasn’t the pilot(s). If you want to commit suicide, do it on your own time or place but please not at the expense of others’ time or lives. Reminds me of the German Wings pilot who locked himself in the flight deck and then crashed the plane (see documentary on youtube). (i wonder how he did it?)