Medics in hazmat suits boarded a Eurowings flight in Dusseldorf, Germany, after several passengers fell ill with suspected norovirus during a flight from the Greek island of Rhodes. The incident prompted a priority landing for Eurowings Flight 9631 on Sunday evening.
Dramatic video captured health workers in white protective gear entering the aircraft on the runway. A passenger, Nathalie Gombik, 28, told NeedToKnow that multiple passengers began vomiting shortly after the plane departed from Rhodes. "I know for certain that three passengers were affected, but it appeared that approximately three more were also experiencing symptoms. Some passengers were vomiting during the flight," Gombik stated.
"Seeing so many ambulances and emergency personnel in protective clothing after landing was quite shocking," she added. The flight crew had alerted emergency services, who were waiting on the ground.
Gombik noted the crew's professionalism, saying, "The flight attendants remained calm, composed, and discreet throughout the incident. As passengers, we barely noticed the extent of what was happening behind the scenes." She further stated that passengers were unaware of a potential mass casualty incident or the priority landing until after the event.
Passengers remained on board for approximately 90 minutes after landing before disembarking. At least three passengers were hospitalized with symptoms consistent with norovirus. Gombik herself reported experiencing similar symptoms days after the flight.
The illnesses are believed to be connected to a norovirus outbreak that began on Rhodes in July. Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported in early October that over 1,400 patients with suspected symptoms had been treated at Rhodes Hospital since August 10. The total number of recorded cases on the island since mid-July was estimated to be around 1,800, though the actual figure could be higher.
Eurowings confirmed the incident in a statement: "We can confirm that several guests on Eurowings flight EW9631 from Rhodes to Dusseldorf on 18 October 2026 felt very unwell during the flight." The airline added that three affected guests were examined and cared for by medical staff on site, and as a precaution, they were taken to the hospital. "All other guests continued their journeys home as normal," the statement read.
There were 212 guests and seven crew members on board the flight. Eurowings stated that the cause of the symptoms is unclear and is under investigation, emphasizing that the safety and health of its guests and crews remain its top priority.