German man living for 54 days (and counting) in transit area of Delhi’s locked down international airport

Passenger was supposed to be touching down in Delhi for a brief layover when coronavirus pandemic saw all flights suspended. Almost eight weeks later, he’s still there. Adam Withnall reports

Airport officials have provided Mr Ziebat with what were described as ‘basic amenities’ (AP)

A German man has been living in the transit terminal of Delhi’s international airport for almost eight weeks after he was left stranded by India’s decision to suspend all commercial flights.

The 40-year-old man, named in reports as Edgard Ziebat, landed in Delhi on 18 March for what should have been an hours-long layover between Hanoi and Istanbul – when all international flights to and from India were abruptly cancelled to stem the spread of coronavirus.

A national lockdown followed on 24 March, and 54 days later Mr Ziebat is still living off his luggage in the transit lounge. Indian media have compared the situation to that of Tom Hanks’ character in the 2004 Steven Spielberg film The Terminal.