A 20-year-old man had a miraculous escape when he was pulled out of a New York-bound container in which he had accidentally got locked while sleeping, police said today.
The container, carrying women's footwear, was scheduled to be shipped from Mumbai to New York. It was loaded and sealed at Mira Road at around 2 AM yesterday, police said.
At around 10 AM yesterday, the container reached the Nhava Sheva port when the Customs officials, who were inspecting it, heard some screams from inside, Police Inspector Rukmani Galande said.
The officials later opened the seal of the container and found Farooqe Ahmed, a labourer, inside it. They took him out and informed the police, she said.
The youth had apparently slept inside the container during its loading operation.
"He remained inside for over eight hours. We do not suspect any foul play and are recording statements (of Customs officials, youth and the company personnel)," Galande said.
Had the Customs officials not opened the seal of the container, the youth may have got suffocated to death inside, police added.
