Elderly Man Detained at Tenerife Airport with Deceased Wife in Wheelchair

Post by : Mina Rahman

An 80-year-old man found himself in a troubling situation at Tenerife South Airport in Spain when he attempted to board a flight with his deceased wife's body seated in a wheelchair. This alarming scenario triggered instant concerns among airport security, leading to an official investigation by local authorities.

During the security checks, staff realized that the woman was completely unresponsive and exhibited a significantly low body temperature. Authorities later confirmed she had passed away several hours before the boarding attempt.

Airport personnel swiftly raised the alarm, activating emergency protocols in light of the situation. Security officials, Civil Guard members, and forensic specialists arrived quickly to carry out a detailed investigation.

The man informed authorities that his wife had died at the airport, alleging that the facilities contributed to her passing. Consequently, he was detained by police as an inquiry was launched to explore potential criminal charges.

This incident has sparked serious concerns regarding airport screening procedures. It is not an isolated case; a British family previously attempted to board a flight with a deceased relative on a wheelchair in late 2025, though some elements of that situation were later clarified by airline representatives.

An airport worker recounted how a security guard observed the woman's cold hand and noted her lack of breathing while taking charge of the wheelchair, prompting supervisors to take immediate action and initiate emergency procedures.

The police are continuing their investigation to assess any criminal liability connected to this incident.

This occurrence follows another recent incident where an elderly woman reportedly passed away during a flight, which contradicts initial claims that she boarded the aircraft already deceased.