Mysterious Illness Strikes 70 Passengers on Condor Flight from Mauritius

A Condor airline passengers, flight from Mauritius to Frankfurt was disrupted on Thursday when 70 out of 290 passengers fell ill with a mysterious vomiting bug mid-flight. The aircraft landed safely in Frankfurt at around 5:33 pm, where it was met by a large contingent of emergency services.

Why this matters: This incident raises concerns about the safety and hygiene of air travel, highlighting the need for airlines and airports to implement robust measures to prevent the spread of illnesses. It also underscores the importance of swift emergency response systems to mitigate the impact of such events.

Thepassengers, flightoccurred approximately halfway through the 12-hour journey from the Indian Ocean island nation to Germany. Passengers reported using flight-provided vomit bags and clutching their stomachs in distress as the illness swept through the cabin at an altitude of over 30,000 feet.

Upon arrival in Frankfurt, the affected were greeted by a team of paramedics and emergency personnel. Condor, the German airline operating the flight, has launched an investigation into the cause of the sudden outbreak but has yet to determine an explanation.

According to a Condor spokesperson, the flight crew was not affected by the illness. "She [the pilot/crew] is also educated and trained for special situations like this," passengers, flight stated. "After carefully examining the overall situation, the flight continued. The aircraft landed safely in Frankfurt, where medical professionals were available to care for the affected guests."

When asked by German tabloid Bild if the in-flight meals might be to blame, the Condor spokesperson responded, "We generally do not participate in speculation about the cause, for example about individual menus on board that were prepared in Mauritius." The airline emphasized that it is working closely with responsible partners and authorities to investigate the incident, but no results are available at this time.

This incident bears similarities to a 1975 case in which 197 people fell sick on a Japan Airlinesfrom Anchorage, Alaska, to Paris due to food poisoning caused by Staphylococci contamination. In that instance, 44 passengers required hospitalization, with 30 in critical condition, though no fatalities occurred.

The mysterious illness that struck Condor Flight DE2315 affected nearly a quarter of the passengers on board, with 70 out of 290 experiencing severe vomiting and nausea. As the airline continues its investigation, the cause of the outbreak remains unknown. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential health risks associated with air travel and the importance of swift action by crew and emergency responders in such situations.

Key Takeaways

• 70/290 passengers fell ill with a mysterious vomiting bug on a Condor flight from Mauritius to Frankfurt.
• The incident occurred mid-flight at an altitude of over 30,000 feet, with passengers using vomit bags and clutching their stomachs.
• The affected passengers were greeted by paramedics and emergency personnel upon arrival in Frankfurt.
• Condor has launched an investigation into the cause of the outbreak, but no explanation has been determined yet.
• The incident highlights concerns about air travel safety and hygiene, and the importance of swift emergency response systems.