Imagine being abandoned at an airport by the very people who are supposed to take care of you. This shocking scenario unfolded at Barcelona's El Prat International Airport when a couple allegedly left their 10-year-old son behind after realizing his passport had expired.

The incident reportedly occurred last Wednesday, leaving the young boy alone at the bustling terminal while his parents hurried onto their holiday flight. According to a TikTok video from an air traffic controller who witnessed the event, the couple made arrangements for a relative to pick their son up so they could catch their flight without delay.

In her video, which has already racked up over 300,000 views, the controller condemned the parents’ actions, stating that the child was unable to fly due to his expired passport and lack of a required visa. It seems that in their rush, the couple didn’t think twice about the consequences of leaving their son behind.

As the story unfolded, airport staff discovered the boy alone, leading them to alert the authorities. According to the air traffic controller, the child informed them that his parents were already on the plane, heading for their vacation destination.

“I’m an air traffic controller, and I’ve seen a lot of things, but this has been completely surreal,” she shared, expressing disbelief at the couple's decision. “As a mother, I’m amazed.”

This shocking incident echoes a similar unsettling event that took place earlier this year at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport, where a couple left their baby at the check-in desk when they were informed that they needed a separate ticket for their child. Video footage captured the moment staff discovered the abandoned infant, and the parents were subsequently arrested.

Both cases raise significant questions about parental responsibility and the bewildering decisions some make in stressful situations. How could anyone leave their child behind? These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing family over travel plans.