A 10-year-old boy was reportedly abandoned by his parents at Barcelona-El Prat Airport on Wednesday, July 30, after airport authorities discovered that his Spanish passport had expired and he lacked a visa required for travel.
The incident detailed in a viral TikTok video by air traffic control worker Lilian, revealed that the boy was traveling with his family but was denied boarding due to his invalid documentation. In a shocking move, his parents boarded the flight without him, leaving him in the terminal. They allegedly called a relative to come pick him up.
How the Boy Was Discovered
Airport staff found the boy alone and immediately notified the police. According to Lilian, the child explained that his parents had already boarded a plane to their home country for vacation.
Authorities contacted the pilot, who announced on board to inquire whether anyone had left a child behind—no one responded. It was later discovered the parents were traveling with another, younger child. They were located and taken to a police station where they were reunited with the boy.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The incident has sparked outrage, with many questioning how any parent could leave a child behind so casually due to documentation issues. Lilian criticized the parents’ actions, stating:
“How is it possible for parents to leave their 10-year-old son at the terminal because he cannot travel due to documentation issues?”
Meanwhile, the nationality of the family has not been disclosed, as it remains unclear whether legal action has been or will be taken against the parents.
