Several passengers fell ill during a Eurowings flight from Rhodes to Düsseldorf on October 18, prompting an emergency response after the aircraft landed in Germany. Three passengers were taken to hospital after medical staff examined them, while the cause of the symptoms remains under investigation.
The incident raised concerns about a possible norovirus infection, although Eurowings has not confirmed what caused the passengers to become unwell.
Emergency response after landing in Düsseldorf
Passengers began experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms during flight EW-9631 on Sunday evening. The cabin crew requested priority landing at Düsseldorf Airport, according to an airline spokesperson.
Medical personnel wearing protective suits entered the aircraft after it landed, as emergency procedures for multiple cases were activated, German aviation news website aero.de reported.
Following medical assessments, three passengers were taken to hospital as a precaution. The remaining passengers were able to continue their return journeys.
There were 212 passengers and seven crew members on board, Eurowings confirmed.
Passengers report vomiting during flight
Natalie Gombik, 28, was travelling home after a holiday in Rhodes with her partner when the incident occurred.
She described the emergency response after landing as shocking, saying she was surprised to see so many ambulances and emergency personnel wearing protective equipment.
Gombik said several passengers had become ill during the flight. She was certain that three had been affected, while around three others appeared to have experienced symptoms as well. Some passengers had vomited on board, she added.
She also praised the cabin crew for remaining calm and discreet throughout the incident.
According to her account, passengers had to remain on the aircraft for around 90 minutes after landing before they were allowed to disembark. Gombik said she began experiencing similar symptoms on Tuesday, several days after the flight.
Eurowings says cause remains unknown
A Eurowings spokesperson confirmed that several passengers on flight EW-9631 from Rhodes to Düsseldorf on October 18 had felt seriously unwell during the journey.
The airline said the crew requested priority landing and that medical personnel examined and treated three symptomatic passengers at the airport before transferring them to hospital as a precaution.
“The cause of the symptoms remains unclear and is being investigated,” the spokesperson said, adding that the health and safety of passengers and crew remained the airline’s highest priority.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, commonly resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea. It is sometimes known as the “winter vomiting bug”.
The symptoms reported on the flight have raised the possibility of a norovirus infection, but no confirmed cause has been reported.
The Greek island of Rhodes has reportedly experienced an increase in cases since July. However, it has not been confirmed that the passengers contracted the virus there.
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