A total of 272 Chinese passengers, mostly elderly, were stranded in Kazakhstan after a plane, en route from Nanjing to Milan, made a forced landing at Astana International Airport on Friday morning local time, reported Xinhua News Agency.

The plane, NO947, belongs to the Italian Neos airline. Chinese passengers sent messages to the Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan for help, after the airline didn’t clarify arrangements.

The Chinese embassy immediately launched an emergency response mechanism and quickly handled follow-up affairs. Embassy staff brought water and food to the airport and asked a local hospital to provide medical support.

The foreign ministry of Kazakhstan agreed to expedite the departure formalities for Chinese passengers.

Neos has now arranged food and lodging for the passengers. The stranded passengers are expected to recommence their journey to Milan at 6 a.m. local time on Saturday.