Sarah Langa revealed that some of the items in her luggage were stolen during a recent trip to France.
Image: Instagram.
South African model and influencer Sarah Langa has opened up about a distressing travel experience after discovering that her luggage had allegedly been broken into and valuables stolen during a recent trip to Paris, France.
“I cried about it, I’m fine. Just sharing this so y’all can be careful. Book another airline, because this violation? It’s not worth it," Langa said in a video posted on TikTok.
According to the influencer, she arrived in Paris only to discover at her hotel that her suitcase had been tampered with and several personal belongings were missing.
“Imagine landing and getting to your hotel to find that your luggage has been broken into at the airport and all of your shoes and all your sunglasses have been stolen. Thank you Air France for ruining my vacation before it even started,” said Langa.
She revealed that the stolen items were worth between R6,000 and R7,000, with some of the shoes reportedly never having been worn and valued at more than R100,000.
“I was basically walking around barefoot for my entire retreat vacation,” she said.
Despite taking precautions and securing her luggage with locks, Langa claimed that the perpetrators managed to force their way into her Rimowa suitcase.
She explained that the culprits had allegedly jammed the lock in order to gain access to the contents of her luggage.
Langa’s video quickly attracted attention online, with several social media users sharing their own experiences of missing or stolen luggage items while travelling.
@kyler_brett said: “Happened to me as well! Don’t know if it’s Air France or here in JHB airport.”
Another user, @hersishima, said: “This is horrible I’m sorry. I had the same in Barcelona airport.”
@ms_pearli said: “Was thinking Rimowa was the Vault of all luggage to prevent pilferage. Sorry Sis, I hope you get compensated by Air France!”
@melanin.in.sa said: “I lost my fav Burberry shades and my makeup. Coming from Cairo to JHB. Like make up is so expensive.”
According to Air France website, passengers who experience baggage-related issues should report them as soon as possible.
The airline states: “If the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible.
In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger’s disposal.
Regarding compensation, Air France notes that under international regulations, airlines may be held liable for the destruction, loss or damage of baggage up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which is approximately €1,880 (approximately R35 500).
The airline further explains: “In the case of checked baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if it is at fault.”