A deceased stowaway was found in the wheel well of a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777 (registered PH-BQM) on Monday. A lot of questions have been asked as to how the man managed to climb into an aircraft from Lagos. However, an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Furthermore, a spokesperson from the Royal Dutch Marechaussee shed light on possible causes of death. He explained that stowaways in the wheel wells of aircraft face extreme temperatures that can drop to as low as minus fifty degrees during longer flights. Therefore, survival is impossible as hypothermia sets in.
Although it is possible to survive the journey, most of the time it goes wrong given the sharp drops in temperature.
Despite the risks involved, stowaways still attempt this method of travel. It is without proper documentation. However, it is done to seek a better life or escape difficult situations.
Equally important, the discovery of this deceased stowaway shows the need for increased security measures. Similarly, there should be thorough inspections of aircraft before departure to prevent such incidents from occurring. Lastly, airlines and aviation authorities should regularly review and update their security protocols to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew onboard.