A British Airways pilot was reportedly kidnapped and tortured during a stopover in Johannesburg.
The pilot was drawn into a trap when a woman asked him to help her to get her bags to her car outside the Checkers Bluebird Supermarket near Melrose Arch in Corlett Drive.
When they got to the car, he was forcefully taken by a group of men.
The hotel in Melrose Arch, where the crew were staying, is considered one of the safest parts of Johannesburg.
British Airways has policies limiting staff from visiting certain areas of the city due to safety concerns.
The pilot, whose identity remains unknown, was taken to a remote area of the city where he was physically abused.
According to a report by The Daily Mail, the pilot was so badly injured that he was unable to operate the return flight to London and had to be replaced.
He handed over thousands of pounds to his attackers and has been off work since the incident, receiving support from his colleagues.
A source described the incident as “staggering” and compared it to a scene from a movie.
British Airways, in response to the incident, confirmed that “a crew member was abducted outside Checkers Bluebird Supermarket just north of the Melrose Arch complex.”
It is unclear when the incident took place.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: British Airways plane.
Image source: X
