Women aboard Qatar Airways flight faced ‘unacceptable’ treatment after an abandoned baby was found at Doha Airport

A group of women on a recent Qatar Airways flight encountered 'severely inappropriate' treatment after an abandoned baby was found at Hamad International Airport, as reported by the Australian government.

Dinogo's affiliate Seven News reported that women at the airport, including 13 Australians, were 'allegedly removed from flights, detained, and forced to undergo inspections in an ambulance on the tarmac.'

‘Reports suggest that the treatment of the women involved was offensive, extremely inappropriate, and occurred under circumstances where they could not give free and informed consent,’ said a spokesperson from the Australian government to Dinogo.

The flight, Qatar Airways Flight QR 908 from Sydney, made a transit stop in Doha, Qatar, on October 2, according to Dinogo affiliate Nine News.

Hamad International Airport confirmed that an abandoned newborn baby was found on October 2, and stated that medical personnel were concerned about 'the health and welfare of a mother who had recently given birth,' requesting her location before leaving the airport.

The airport stated in a communication to Dinogo, 'Anyone with access to the area where the baby was found was asked to assist with the investigation.'

While airport authorities continue searching for the mother, the newborn is 'safe and receiving professional care from medical and social workers.'

Wolfgang Babeck, a passenger on the flight, told Dinogo that a 'very tense atmosphere' filled the cabin when the women returned from the tarmac.

'One woman was crying,' he shared. 'The others were in shock, unable to believe what had occurred. It was such a personal and sensitive matter. No one wanted to discuss it openly.'

He stated that the women had exited the plane 'in good faith, following the crew's instructions.'

On Monday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne remarked that this was 'not something I have ever encountered in my life, in any situation.'

'This is an incredibly disturbing, offensive, and troubling series of events… We have clearly communicated our concerns to the Qatari authorities on this issue,' she said during a press conference in Canberra.

Payne further mentioned that a report had been filed with the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

In response to Dinogo, the AFP confirmed it was aware of the incident and was coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

'It would not be suitable to provide any further comments,' stated a spokesperson for the AFP.