Yesterday, shocking details were released about a recent situation involving Qatar Airways, where a premature infant was left in the airport bathroom at Hamad International Airport. 

During the incident, the airport ordered an immediate investigation and female passengers on a Qatar Airways flight to Australia were made to deplane and undergo physical inspections on the tarmac. The airport states that they were concerned for the welfare of the mother, but details of the invasive searches have since sparked outrage across the globe. 


Since the details have been released, more witnesses have come forward with their account of the incident. 

Kim Mills was one of the Australian women on board the flight, made to disembark and follow officials to three ambulances parked on the tarmac. Ms Mills luckily avoided the 'inspection' the other women had to undertake, attributed to (she believes) her age. However, she describes the experience as 'horrifying', and says what the other women had to go through was 'absolutely terrible'. 

“I can’t imagine what it was like for those poor young girls, it must have been horrendous. I’m a mother of three daughters and when I got back on the plane and reflected on it and thought, I am so glad it wasn’t any of my girls."

"I just think of the poor young girls. I don’t know why they had to put them through that, I really don’t.”

She went further to say that no reason was given to the women who were asked to leave the plane with their passports, and most passengers assumed it was something to do with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

Hamad International Airport has since responded with the following statement, addressing the concerns raised and confirming the state of the newborn: 

“On 2 October 2020, a new-born infant was found abandoned at Hamad International Airport. The new born infant was immediately provided with medical attention and care. Medical professionals expressed concern to officials about the health and welfare of a mother who had just given birth and requested she be located prior to departing HIA. Individuals who had access to the specific area of the airport where the new-born infant was found were asked to assist in the query. At this time, the new-born infant remains unidentified, but is safe under the professional care of medical and social workers. The entire team at HIA requests anyone with any information or knowledge of the mother to contact us at hiamedia@hamadairport.com.qa”


Qatar Airways staff were also horrified, and were not made fully aware of the situation or the reason why women were being asked to deplane. According to Ms Mills, "[The head steward] said the captain and the pilot don’t even know why we’ve been held and what’s going on.” 

She said the staff told her: “We knew nothing, they gave us no reason at all why you had to be taken off the plane.” Before the passengers left the plane in Sydney, the head steward conveyed an apology on behalf of the captain and the crew. 

In Sydney, as they waited for ongoing transport, several passengers shared their experiences, and one victim collected contact information to go forward to the police. Australian foreign affairs minister Marise Payne has expressed her disgust, and has demanded of the Qatari Ambassador that the incident be completed by the end of the week.

Currently, sex outside of marriage is illegal in the country, and health professionals are required to report their knowledge of extra-marital sex or unwed mothers to authorities.