Fear of virus on flight from Rhodes: 3 passengers hospitalized in Germany

A Eurowings flight from Rhodes to Düsseldorf sparked panic after several passengers reported severe symptoms. Three passengers were evacuated to a hospital on suspicion of a norovirus outbreak. Emergency services in Germany were dispatched to the airport. The aircraft returned to regular operations the next day.

A Eurowings flight from Rhodes to Düsseldorf, Germany, sparked panic after several passengers reported severe symptoms during the flight. Three passengers were evacuated to a hospital on suspicion of a norovirus outbreak, a virus known to be highly contagious. Emergency services in Germany were dispatched to the airport and declared an emergency procedure for a mass casualty event. The flight, which departed from Rhodes on Sunday evening, was shortened after the pilots requested landing priority. Medical teams dressed in full protective gear boarded the plane after landing and questioned the passengers. Passengers were only allowed to disembark about an hour and a half after landing. The next morning, the aircraft returned to regular operations and flew to additional destinations, indicating it had been disinfected and cleared for full service. Eurowings stated that the cause of the symptoms is still under investigation.