mber Maherloughnan’s family vacation took a dark turn when a simple oversight led to a harrowing ordeal in Turkey.
The Lewes resident and her loved ones had planned a luxurious £6,000 getaway, flying from London Gatwick to Antalya for a week-long holiday.
However, their trip quickly descended into chaos due to a significant oversight: Amber discovered that her six-year-old son Reuben’s passport was nearly four months expired.
A Distressing Arrival
Upon landing in Antalya, Amber was stunned to learn that Reuben’s passport was out of date.
Officials seized their passports and detained them, along with 13 other travelers, for nearly 24 hours.
The conditions they faced were appalling, with only a filthy toilet available and meager provisions—essentially just a rotten tomato and an egg, which were reportedly “kicked” at them.
A Fruitless Attempt to Rectify the Situation
Amber’s fiancé, Will Land-Smith, tried to resolve the situation by seeking a temporary travel document from the Turkish embassy, but this did not guarantee their entry into Turkey.
As a result, Amber and Reuben had to cut their trip short and return home the very next day.
Amber shared a heartbreaking image of Reuben looking out of the plane window, devastated by the abrupt end to their holiday.
A Heartfelt Warning
On social media, Amber shared her story as a cautionary tale, urging other parents to double-check their children’s passports before traveling.
She acknowledged her mistake but expressed frustration over the treatment they received.
The Unpleasant Experience
Amber described the experience as deeply distressing.
She felt the treatment she received, especially with a child in tow, was unfair.
Despite acknowledging her error, she was disheartened by the ease with which she was allowed through security and then mistreated.
The Mistake Unfolds
Amber admitted she had not checked Reuben’s passport, which had expired on April 16, 2024, before their journey.
She had no idea of the expiration until they arrived in Turkey.
The passport had passed through the check-in process and boarding without issue, only for the problem to be flagged at Turkish passport control.
Inhumane Conditions
During their detention, Amber felt dehumanized.
She and Reuben were held in a room with inadequate facilities, including a filthy toilet and a bed with no bedding.
They were given minimal food and water, and Amber was distressed by the poor conditions and the lack of sympathy from the guards.
Attempts to Resolve the Situation
Will Land-Smith and Reuben had to leave the airport to try to secure a temporary document from the Turkish embassy.
However, without a guarantee of entry, Amber and Reuben had no choice but to return home the following day.
Amber experienced a mix of false hope and despair as she awaited their departure, feeling let down by the lack of clear communication and support.
Reflections and Future Precautions
The ordeal left Amber feeling that she had ruined what was meant to be a dream holiday.
She is determined to be more vigilant in the future and avoid such mistakes.
The financial and emotional toll has been significant, and she vows never to make such a lapse again.
Official Responses
According to the UK Government website, passports must be valid for at least 150 days when traveling to Turkey.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advises that passports be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
Gatwick Airport stated that it is the airline’s responsibility to check passports, while the Antalya airport referred to the passport police authorities for comments.