Entire flight crew suspended after passenger makes worrying discovery
Garuda Indonesia has launched an investigation into the shocking incident - with the airline confirming all crew members on duty had been suspended while enquiries are carried out
An entire airline cabin crew has been suspended after a passenger's missing iPhone was traced to their hotel.
Michael Tjendara was flying from Jakarta to Melbourne on June 6 when his phone disappeared aboard the Garuda Indonesia flight. The traveller says he left the device in his seat-back pocket, moved to a different seat after take-off and returned later to find it was gone. Tjendara then used Apple 's Find My iPhone feature - and was stunned at what he had discovered. The phone 's signal led to a spot near Southbank Promenade in Melbourne, right by the Mercure Hotel, where the airline's cabin crew was believed to be staying.
The signal then moved toward Evan Walker Bridge. According to Tjendara, the final location showed the phone had been dropped into the Yarra River in south-central Victoria, Australia. He shared screenshots and updates about the theft to his Instagram, calling on nearby businesses to check CCTV and help identify the people responsible.
"This isn't just about a phone - it's about the safety of all passengers in the future. Please help tag and share this story so the right people see it," he wrote. The shocking incident has sparked major attention across Indonesia.
Garuda Indonesia's Director of Commercial and Cargo, Ade R. Susardi, said in a statement on June 9 that all crew members on duty had been suspended while a full investigation is underway.
"We are in continuous communication with the concerned passenger and remain committed to supporting him throughout the follow-up process," he told Indonesia Business Post.
The airline added that a company representative had been sent to help Mr Tjendara on the ground in Melbourne, and to assist him in filing a police report. Mr Susardi also apologised for the incident on behalf of the airline.
"We can confirm that upon receiving the report, all cabin crew had followed standard operating and safety procedures, including promptly coordinating with airport authorities to initiate a search," he said.
Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier of Indonesia, operates a large domestic and international network with hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar. The airline has been recognised as having the "World's Best Cabin Crew" on multiple occasions as part of Skytrax's 5-Star Airline awards.
This prestigious award, often referred to as the "Oscars of the aviation industry," was handed to the airline throughout 2014-2018, and again in 2023.
The Mirror has contacted Garuda Indonesia for an update in its investigation.
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