24.2 C
Accra
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
WorldIranian who lived in Paris airport for 18 years dead

Date:

Iranian who lived in Paris airport for 18 years dead

An Iranian man who had been living in a Paris airport for the past 18 years has died.

Mehran Karimi Nasseri, caught in diplomatic limbo, made a small area of Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport his home in 1988.

His experience inspired Tom Hanks’ 2004 film The Terminal.

Mr Nasseri was eventually granted the right to reside in France, but he returned to the airport a few weeks ago, where he died of natural causes, according to an airport official.

Born in 1945 in the Iranian province of Khuzestan, Mr Nasseri first flew to Europe in search of his mother.

He spent some years living in Belgium, having been expelled from countries including the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany for not having the correct immigration documents. He then went to France, where he made the airport’s 2F Terminal his home.

Nestled on his bench surrounded by trolleys containing the possessions he had accumulated, he spent his days writing about his life in a notebook and reading books and newspapers.

His story attracted international media attention and caught the eye of Stephen Spielberg, who directed The Terminal, starring Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

After the film’s release, journalists flocked to speak with the man who had inspired a Hollywood movie. At one point, Mr Nazzeri, who called himself “Sir Alfred,” was giving up to six interviews a day, Le Parisien reports.

Despite being granted refugee status and the right to remain in France in 1999, he stayed at the airport until 2006, when he was taken to a hospital to be treated for an illness. He then spent time living in a hostel using the money he had received for the film, the French newspaper Libération reports.

Mr Nasseri returned to the airport a few weeks ago, where he lived until he died, an airport official said.

He was found with several thousand euros in his possession, the official added.

 

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

“Don’t make me and Stonebwoy fight ooo”- Samini warn netizens

Veteran dancehall musician, Samini has warned netizens to resist...

Kanye West’s Heil Hitler song bans him from entering Australia

US rapper Kanye West has been banned from entering...

Agradaa describes moment shared with President Mahama heavenly – Agradaa

Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, shared a...

Dada Joe Remix extradited to face romance scam charges in USA

Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo...

Govt launches 24-Hour Economy policy today

The government's flagship, 24-Hour Economy Policy, will be launched...

GRA sets July 16 for GHS1 fuel levy implementation

The implementation of the new GHS1 Energy Sector Shortfall...

Related stories

US travel ban against Togo, Libya, others takes effect today

Effective today, Monday, June 9, nationals of twelve countries...

Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

Over 200 inmates are currently on the run after...

Pope Leo XIV shares canonical acceptance

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has officially accepted his election...

Profile of the new Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

"Peace be with all of you!" - the first...

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost named as the 267th Pope, takes the name Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the...

Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave to elect new pope

A thick column of black smoke rising from the...

Siemens exec and his family involved in fatal Hudson helicopter crash

Tragedy struck New York City on Thursday when a...