About 40 girls with complex disabilities from the Alei Siach organization missed their flight home to Israel on Thursday after spending more than three hours stuck in heavy traffic caused by a road closure in Italy. There is now growing concern that they may have to remain in Italy over Shabbat.
Stranded Group Seeks Flight
40 Girls With Disabilities Stranded in Italy
A group of about 40 girls with complex disabilities from the Alei Siach organization missed their flight to Israel after more than three hours in traffic, and organizers are searching for an alternative flight before Shabbat.
The group was due to board a Wizz Air flight at 13:00 on Thursday and land in Israel before Shabbat. On the way to the airport, however, a road was closed and the group was caught in traffic for more than three hours, with no way of reaching the flight in time.
According to Kikar HaShabbat, attempts were made and pressure was applied to delay the takeoff so the group could arrive. The plane ultimately left without the girls and the staff accompanying them.
Some of the girls use wheelchairs, and many require constant assistance and care. The group had traveled to Italy on an organized trip that was planned in advance around the participants' special needs. Doctors, social workers and other professionals have accompanied them throughout the trip to meet their medical and functional needs.
The unplanned stay abroad requires special arrangements, including medication, medical equipment, accessible facilities and continuous professional supervision.
Efforts are now underway to find an alternative flight that would bring the group home before Shabbat. The task is especially complicated because seats are needed for about 40 girls with disabilities, some of them in wheelchairs, along with the accompanying staff and the necessary medical equipment.
Beyond the logistical and medical difficulties, the incident carries heavy and unexpected costs. The options under consideration include special rescue flights, which are particularly expensive.
If no solution is found before Shabbat, organizers will need to arrange a hotel suited to the girls' needs, along with meals, medication and all the equipment required for an extended stay in Italy.
No final solution had been found at the time of reporting, and efforts to return the group to Israel before Shabbat are continuing.
צילום: Photo: Alei Siach
