Afghan woman gives birth on evacuation flight to Britain

Afghan evacuee Soman Noori holds her newborn baby girl named Havva on board an evacuation flight operated by Turkish Airlines from Dubai to Britain's Birmingham, August 28, 2021. Turkish Airlines/Handout via REUTERS

An Afghan woman on board an evacuation flight to Britain gave birth to a baby girl early on Saturday with assistance from the cabin crew, Turkish Airlines said in a statement.

Soman Noori, 26, started having contractions during the Turkish Airlines flight from Dubai to Birmingham, and gave birth as the plane flew at an altitude of 10,000 metres (33,000 feet) in Kuwaiti airspace.

Noori and her baby, who was named Havva, were both in good health, the statement said.

Afghan evacuee Soman Noori, accompanied by her husband Taj Moh Hammat and their sons, holds her newborn baby girl named Havva on board an evacuation flight operated by Turkish Airlines from Dubai to Britain's Birmingham, August 28, 2021. Turkish Airlines/Handout via REUTERS

The plane, which was carrying Afghan citizens who had worked with Britain in Afghanistan, landed in Kuwait as a precaution but later continued on to its destination, Turkish Airlines said.

(Reporting by Yesim Dikmen; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Helen Popper)

Turkish Airlines cabin crew members pose with the newborn Afghan baby girl named Havva on board an evacuation flight from Dubai to Britain's Birmingham, August 28, 2021. Turkish Airlines/Handout via REUTERS

Turkish Airlines cabin crew members pose with the newborn Afghan baby girl named Havva on board an evacuation flight from Dubai to Britain's Birmingham, August 28, 2021. Turkish Airlines/Handout via REUTERS

Turkish Airlines cabin crew members pose with the newborn Afghan baby girl named Havva on board an evacuation flight from Dubai to Britain's Birmingham, August 28, 2021. Turkish Airlines/Handout via REUTERS