10-year-old girl suffers second-degree burns on flight as crew member spills hot chocolate on her

The incident occurred on an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Frankfurt on August 11 and the family has alleged that the airline did not apologise or pay for the medical costs.

The airline has, however, clarified that its teams have been in touch with the family throughout, their return to India has been facilitated, and all medical expenses will be borne by it.

Rachna Gupta, who was travelling on the flight to Frankfurt with her daughter, Tara, claimed that they missed their connecting flight to Lisbon due to the incident.

Gupta said that while a paramedic administered immediate first aid to Tara, the airline arranged an ambulance for them.

However, she alleged that the family didn't get an apology from the airline and had to bear the high medical costs.

"@airvistara  air hostess causes 2nd degree burn to 10 year old on flight to Frankfurt. An unfortunate accident poorly handled. Vistara hostess didn't apologize, captain or crew members didn't apologize," Gupta posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"After basic first aid on flight my daughter and I were left in an ambulance to fend for ourselves (pay for ambulance / navigate the German medical emergency services) in an unfamiliar environment. Our luggage had to be taken out by friend of a friend who made 3 trips to the airport and spent 4-5 hours pillar to post," she said.

Gupta said she had to pay the ambulance bill of 503 Euros as well as the hospital bill. She said they missed their connecting flight and alleged that the airline did not make efforts to arrange an alternate flight for them. She claimed that the airline did get in touch with her, but only after her post.

In a detailed statement, Air Vistara clarified that they have already facilitated the mother and daughter's return to India and are reviewing their processes to ensure such situations are avoided in the future.

"We confirm an unfortunate incident occured onboard UK25 flying from Delhi to Frankfurt on 11 August, 2023, where a child sustained injuries due to spillage of hot beverage on the body. Our cabin crew had served hot chocolate to the child on the request of her parents, however, the hot water spilled on her since the child was playful during the service," the airline's statement said.

"Our teams have been in touch with the customer ever since. We have already facilitated their early return to India, arranged for ground transportation in Frankfurt, met them at the airport and extended extensive on-ground support. We have conveyed to the customer that all medical expenses arising from this incident will be reimbursed by us," said the statement.