British Airways News: A 60-year-old woman died soon after departure on British Airways flight BA32, which was travelling from Hong Kong to London on Sunday. As per reports, her body was placed in the rear section of the aircraft and stayed there for the duration of the 13.5-hour flight.

As reported by Fox News, the incident occurred shortly after the Airbus A350-1000 left Hong Kong. The crew opted to proceed to Heathrow Airport instead of diverting or returning, as a passenger’s death is typically not classified as an in-flight medical emergency requiring landing.

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Body Was Secured, Placed In The Rear Gallery

At first, the crew thought of using the lavatory to hold the body, but quickly ruled it out as unsuitable. They secured the body and relocated it to the rear galley area instead.

"Obviously the woman's family was very upset, and so was the crew. Many wanted to return to Hong Kong. But, frankly, if a passenger has already died, it's not considered an emergency,” a source said, as quoted by Fox News.

Passengers Complain Of Foul Smell

The crew members allegedly overlooked that the galley floor was heated. As a result, the heat is said to have intensified an odour that gradually drifted through the rear cabin during the flight. By the time the aircraft neared London, multiple passengers and crew among the 331 onboard reported a strong, unpleasant smell coming from the area.

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What Did British Airways Say?

After landing, police boarded the plane and asked all passengers to remain seated for approximately 45 minutes. British Airways said all procedures were followed correctly during the incident. "Sadly, a passenger on board has passed away and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time. We are supporting our crew and all procedures were followed correctly," the airline said.

What Do The Protocols Says

The International Air Transport Association outlines procedures for situations when a passenger passes away during a flight. In such cases, the body is usually secured in a body bag or covered with a blanket up to the neck. Whenever possible, crew members try to move the body to a more separate location, such as an unoccupied seat or another section of the cabin. If the flight is at full capacity, however, the body may have to remain in its original seat.