Airbags

In an accident, are only the airbags relevant to the occupied seats triggered?
Reason I’m asking is that when somebody sits in the passenger seat (Mazda 6) the airbag warning light flickers intermittently, but only sometimes- I’m assuming (guessing, and hoping) it’s a dodgy connection to some sort of sensor in the passenger seat?

d’oh, why do I keep posting tot the wrong forum. Mods, could you please move this if necessary.

I had this on a Rover 45 – turned out to be a loose connector under the passenger seat to the side airbag in the seat bolster.