Indian Passenger Stabs Two Teens with Fork on Lufthansa Flight, Forcing Emergency Landing

A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany made an emergency diversion to Boston after 28-year-old Indian national Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli allegedly stabbed two 17-year-old passengers with a metal fork mid-flight.

“A Lufthansa flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Boston on October 25 after an unprovoked assault by a passenger named Usiripalli”

The Federal

He then made a finger-gun suicide gesture, slapped a female passenger, and tried to strike a crew member.

The Federal

He was taken into custody upon landing at Logan and charged federally.

Prosecutors and multiple outlets describe the offense as assault with a dangerous or deadly weapon aboard an aircraft, with potential penalties up to 10 years in prison and fines.

Authorities and reports emphasize the attack was unprovoked and involved multiple assaults before the crew and passengers subdued him.

Multiple outlets agree the violence began shortly after meal service.

One teen was stabbed while asleep near the left clavicle and shoulder.

financialexpress

The other teen was stabbed in the back of the head.

Some reports add specific details: AviationSource News states the incident happened about two hours into the journey over Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Independent notes that a thick sweatshirt helped the neck-stabbed teen avoid serious injury.

After the attacks, Usiripalli was restrained and the aircraft was diverted to Boston.

Both teens required medical attention and are expected to recover.

Authorities, airlines, and media also focus on immigration status and potential penalties.

“A passenger aboard a flight from Chicago to Germany allegedly stabbed two teens with a fork, slapped a female passenger and gestured suicide during a wild, unprovoked rampage that led pilots to make an emergency landing in Boston Saturday”

New York Post

Several outlets report Usiripalli is an Indian national who entered on a student visa and now lacks lawful status in the U.S.; some specify he studied biblical studies.

Reported penalties converge around up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000, with some noting supervised release.

Wording of the charge varies from “dangerous weapon on an aircraft” to “deadly weapon with intent to do bodily harm,” but all describe federal assault charges.

Lufthansa and officials emphasized safety and logistics after the diversion.

The airline canceled the onward Frankfurt leg, rebooked travelers, and provided hotel stays, according to multiple reports.

NewsBreak

U.S. authorities took custody and are prosecuting the case with federal partners including the FBI and other agencies.

The episode is framed within a broader rise in unruly passenger behavior by some outlets, with differing statistics and emphases.

Some sources cite FAA case totals this year, while others host discussions on the trend of in-flight violence.

Some facts remain unclear or conflicting across coverage.

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Times of India

Several outlets say no motive has been disclosed and prosecutors view the attack as unprovoked.

Times of India

Routing varies between “Frankfurt” and “Munich” depending on the outlet.

A few reports include unrelated items alongside this case.

Dates are reported as October 25, with some explicitly stating 2025.

These inconsistencies highlight the patchwork nature of rapid, multi-source reporting on air incidents.