Invasive searches took place after prematurely born baby found in the airport bathroom
Several women were asked to de-board the flight and were strip searched by the authorities of Qatar Airways onboard a flight from Doha to Sydney. Flight QR908 to Sydney was about to leave the Hamad International airport at Doha at 8.30 on Friday when the authorities found an infant in women’s bathroom and trying to find out who the mother was.
The plan had 34 passengers out of which 13 women passengers were detained and ‘forced to undergo an inspection’. After the Seven Network News reported on Sunday, the incident came to the light. The broadcaster reported that none of the passengers wad told about the newborn child before the “strip searches” began and “had their genitals invasively examined, without their consent”.
Foreign Affair Minister Marise Payne said Australia took the matter “extremely seriously” and had taken it up with Qatari authorities here and in Doha. “This is grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events. It is not something I have ever heard of occurring in my life, in any context, (and) we have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter.”
The Australian government has registered “serious concerns” with Qatari authorities following the incident. The authorities said they were “aware of concerning reports regarding the treatment, in Qatar, of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight to Sydney”. An updated statement, that was released on Sunday night, stated that the Australian government had “formally registered our serious concerns regarding the incident with Qatari authorities and have been assured that detailed and transparent information on the event will be provided soon”.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.