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Journalism of Courage
A passenger travelling from Goa to Pune on Spicejet Flight SG 1080 on September 8 allegedly found a metal object in a soft drink served on board and was taken to a hospital after the flight landed. The airline said the soft drink was served sealed, and all assistance was provided to the passenger after he brought the issue to its notice.
After the passenger complained, the crew checked for a doctor on board, but no one was available. Pune airport was then informed about the issue, and an ambulance was kept ready. The passenger went through X-rays and other medical checks, but no foreign object was found, and he was discharged, SpiceJet said in a statement.
The airline has kept the soft-drink can for investigation by the vendor.
X user @anusheth14 first flagged the issue on social media and wrote, “Serious safety lapse on @flyspicejet Flight SG1080 Goa–Pune. passenger drank Coke served onboard, found metal pieces inside, swallowed some, bled & rushed to hospital. SpiceJet staff took can away, refused to return as “their property.”! @Ministry_CA @narendramodi @flyspicejet”
A SpiceJet spokesperson said in the statement, “Canned and other bottled drinks on board our flights are always served sealed to passengers, who themselves unseal them when they choose to consume them on board. On 8 September 2025, a passenger on SpiceJet flight SG 1080 from Goa to Pune ordered a sealed soft drink can along with a packet of fox nuts. The can was served sealed, in line with the airline’s standard practice. Later during the flight, the passenger reported discomfort after consuming the drink and claimed to have found a metal object inside.”
“Our crew immediately assisted the passenger, checked for a doctor onboard (none was available), and kept the Captain and Airport Team informed. An ambulance was arranged in advance, and on arrival in Pune, the passenger was attended to by the airport medical team and subsequently referred to a nearby hospital. Comprehensive checks, including X-rays of the throat, chest, and abdomen, revealed no foreign object. The attending doctor also advised an endoscopy, which the passenger declined.
The passenger was discharged the same evening. All medical expenses were borne by the airline, and SpiceJet staff remained with the passenger throughout. As per our Standard Operating Procedure, the soft drink can was retained for investigation by the vendor. The passenger was given sufficient time to record and retain evidence before the can was secured,” it further read.
