Several passengers became seriously unwell aboard Eurowings flight EW9631 from Rhodes to Düsseldorf on 18 October, prompting the cockpit to request a priority landing. The aircraft, carrying 212 passengers and seven crew members, landed shortly after 22:00, where emergency teams assessed those affected and three passengers were taken to hospital as a precaution.
Düsseldorf Airport had activated a precautionary MANV response, used when a mass-casualty incident is considered possible, and deployed eight airport fire-service vehicles with support from the city’s emergency services. The suspected mass-casualty situation was not confirmed, and airport operations continued without disruption.
The remaining passengers and crew were able to leave the aircraft normally. Eurowings confirmed the medical incident and is investigating the cause of the symptoms, which remained undetermined. Media reports raised the possibility of a gastrointestinal infection, including norovirus, but no norovirus outbreak had been confirmed. Reports that cabin crew wore masks and that disembarkation was delayed while passengers were assessed were based on passenger accounts.