In a startling discovery, a stowaway was found alive but in critical condition in the undercarriage bay of an Air Algeria airplane at Paris Orly airport on Thursday morning, December 28, according to a security source briefed on the matter. The person's condition was life-threatening, and they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The aircraft had originated from the western Algerian town of Oran, which is a two-and-a-half hour flight from Paris. It remains unclear how the stowaway managed to sneak aboard the plane and survive the journey in the undercarriage bay, a space not designed for human accommodation.

This incident brings to mind the dangers faced by stowaways attempting to hitch unauthorized rides on airplanes. In 2019, the body of a suspected stowaway fell from a plane flying over southwest London, landing in a homeowner's garden. Thankfully, the individual laying in his garden narrowly avoided a potentially tragic incident. Similarly, in 2015, a stowaway on a British Airways flight from Johannesburg to Heathrow sadly perished, while a second stowaway survived the 10-hour flight and was discovered in the undercarriage of the aircraft.

Authorities at Paris Orly airport are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine how security protocols were breached, allowing the stowaway to gain access to the plane's undercarriage. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by airports and airlines in maintaining stringent security measures to deter such dangerous attempts.

It is crucial for aviation industry stakeholders to collaborate and improve security systems to prevent unauthorized access to aircraft and ensure the safety of both passengers and crew. The investigation into this incident will likely yield valuable insights that can help bolster security protocols and minimize the risk of future stowaway incidents.

As the stowaway receives critical medical treatment, their identity remains unknown. The aviation community and the public at large await further updates on this troubling incident, hoping for the stowaway's eventual recovery and resolution of any outstanding security concerns that may have been exposed.