Several passengers reported severe discomfort aboard Eurowings flight EW9631 from Rhodes to Düsseldorf on Sunday evening, prompting the cockpit crew to request a priority landing. The aircraft, carrying 212 passengers and seven crew, landed at about 22:00, where emergency services were waiting. Three passengers received medical attention, and the flight’s remaining passengers were able to continue their journeys home without disruption to airport operations.
Düsseldorf Airport’s fire service deployed eight vehicles, supported by additional units from the city’s professional fire brigade. Other reports put the total response at roughly 12 emergency vehicles and about 30 responders. A precautionary MANV alert was activated because the number of potentially affected passengers was initially unclear.
The passengers who required assistance reportedly experienced gastrointestinal symptoms. Infection and food poisoning were among the possible explanations, but no specific cause, including norovirus, had been confirmed. Eurowings is investigating the incident and described passenger and crew safety as its priority.
Three passengers were medically assessed after landing. Reports differed on whether two or all three went to hospital, although the airline indicated that all three travelled there as a precaution. The suspected mass-illness situation was not confirmed.