New Delhi, Sep.23,2025:The Afghan Boy Stowaway Story has stunned the world after a 13-year-old boy from Kunduz, Afghanistan, managed to survive an impossible journey. The child hid inside the landing gear compartment of a Kam Air flight from Kabul to Delhi-
According to PTI reports, the incident occurred on Sunday when the Kam Air flight (RQ-4401) landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Security officials found the boy wandering near the aircraft. After questioning, he was identified as a resident of Kunduz province, who had secretly entered Kabul Airport and climbed into the plane’s landing gear system.
What makes this Afghan Boy Stowaway Story truly unbelievable is not just his courage but his survival in conditions considered fatal for humans at cruising altitude.
How the Boy Hid Inside the Plane
Investigations revealed that the boy managed to sneak into Kabul International Airport despite tight security. Somehow, he reached the central landing gear compartment at the back of the Kam Air aircraft.
This part of the plane is highly dangerous—extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and moving machinery make it nearly impossible to survive.
During routine post-flight checks, a red portable speaker was found in the compartment, suspected to have been carried by the boy. No signs of sabotage or damage were discovered, and the flight was declared safe.
Kabul Airport Security Under Scrutiny
The Afghan Boy Stowaway Story has raised sharp questions about security at Kabul Airport. Taliban officials claim the airport is under strict 24/7 surveillance, yet a teenager managed to breach the runway and hide inside a plane.
Security experts are now questioning whether international safety standards are being maintained.
Taliban border police spokesman Abeedullah Farooqi told BBC Pashto that the airport is “a high-security zone” where even officials are barred from unscheduled entry. He insisted that investigations are ongoing, but scepticism remains.
Reaction from Taliban Officials
So far, the Taliban government has not issued an official statement. However, Afghan border police confirmed to local media that they are reviewing security protocols.
Farooqi stressed that “no unauthorized person can board a plane,” yet the Afghan Boy Stowaway Story proves otherwise.
The incident could embarrass the Taliban internationally, as it highlights lapses in a critical infrastructure facility.
Why Survival in Landing Gear is Nearly Impossible
Aviation experts describe the boy’s survival as a miracle.
- At cruising altitude (30,000–40,000 feet), temperatures drop to -50°C or lower.
- The landing gear compartment has no oxygen supply, causing hypoxia.
- The mechanical structure itself poses risks of crushing during take-off and landing.
That’s why the Afghan Boy Stowaway Story is being called one of the rarest cases of survival in aviation history.
Previous Cases of Aircraft Stowaways
This is not the first time people have attempted to flee countries by hiding inside planes.
- In 2014, a 16-year-old boy survived a five-hour flight from California to Hawaii in a plane’s wheel well.
- In 2019, a man fell to his death in London after hiding in a Kenya Airways plane’s landing gear.
- Many similar cases have ended tragically due to suffocation, hypothermia, or falling from planes.
However, the Afghan Boy Stowaway Story stands out because of the boy’s young age and miraculous survival.
Expert Opinions on the Boy’s Survival
Aviation doctors suggest that survival could only be possible if the aircraft did not reach very high altitudes or if the boy’s body went into a hibernation-like state due to extreme cold.
Dr. Ramesh Chand, an aviation medicine specialist, told Indian media that “the human body cannot withstand such conditions beyond a few minutes. This survival is extraordinary.”
Such expert analysis adds weight to the uniqueness of the Afghan Boy Stowaway Story.
Humanitarian Concerns and Deportation
Despite the miraculous journey, the boy was sent back to Kabul on the same aircraft after interrogation at Delhi airport.
Human rights activists argue that the boy should have been given protection instead of deportation. Organizations like Human Rights Watch have previously criticized such deportations, especially when children are involved.
The Afghan Boy Stowaway Story raises ethical questions: Should survival seekers be treated as security threats or as desperate victims needing humanitarian aid?
International Response and Security Lessons
The incident has already sparked global discussions on:
- Airport Security Gaps – If a child can breach airport defenses, what about terrorists?
- Humanitarian Aspects – How should international laws treat child stowaways?
- Airline Safety – Should airlines improve surveillance of hidden compartments?
Experts suggest that Kabul Airport must undergo international audits to restore confidence in its security protocols.
Afghan Boy Stowaway Story as a Wake-Up Call
The Afghan Boy Stowaway Story is more than just a shocking tale of survival—it is a mirror reflecting Afghanistan’s instability, security failures, and humanitarian crisis.
While the boy’s survival is being hailed as a miracle, the bigger questions remain unanswered:
