British Airways jet swarmed by hazmat crews after passengers and staff fall ill mid-air
What was meant to be the start of a dream holiday to Egypt instead turned into what passengers called a “flight from hell,” after a British Airways jet was forced into an emergency landing when travellers and crew reportedly fell ill mid-air.
Melanie Wells, 61, boarded the December 23 flight from London Gatwick with her 19-year-old daughter, Imogen, bound for an all-inclusive getaway.
But less than two hours into the journey, she said the cabin atmosphere shifted.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.At first, she put her own nausea down to the stifling heat on board — until chaos broke out.
“About an hour and a half in the air, crew members suddenly began running down the aisle backwards and forwards. I didn’t know what was going on,” Ms Wells recalled.
“We were told nothing the whole time. We landed and the whole plane was surrounded by police, ambulances and fire services.”
The aircraft diverted to Venice, where it was met on the runway by emergency crews in hazmat suits. Footage shows responders in breathing gear walking through the galley and running scanners over flight attendants before moving on to affected passengers, News.com.au.
“And then men in hazmat suits with full breathing apparatus came on board with what I assume were (testing devices), and running them over the stewards and stewardesses, then doing it to the passengers affected,” she said.
“I was absolutely terrified – I was out of my mind with worry, I was really fearful. It was pandemonium. The staff were in pure panic mode. At no point did the captain give us any information.”
After an eight-hour delay in Italy, the aircraft returned to London rather than continuing on to Egypt.
Ms Wells said she and her daughter were “utterly exhausted.”
“The experience was horrific. It was definitely a flight from hell,” she added.
British Airways said the Venice diversion was taken “as a precaution” due to a technical issue and that engineers later cleared the aircraft, which re-entered service the next day. The airline said there was no evidence of toxic fumes on board.
Ms Wells has since been offered £2,130 ($A4,391) to cover cancelled flights, meals and related expenses.
But she says BA refused to reimburse the £500 (AUD $1,030) she lost on her first night’s accommodation in Egypt, the holiday that never began.
