At least 10 people were taken to the hospital Wednesday, September 5th, after an Emirates Airline plane from Dubai landed in New York City with about 100 passengers and crewmembers reported feeling ill, officials said.
Emirates confirmed the incident in a tweet saying; Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on #EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill. On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities. All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority.
Passengers flying an Emirates flight 202 from Dubai to New York reported feeling ill on a flight to JFK airport, forcing authorities to quarantine the plane. The flight was met at John F Kennedy airport by New York Port Authority Police and officials from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention when it landed.
The New York Mayor’s office confirmed the plane had been quarantined at the airport after landing shortly after 9am local time. Eric Phillips, spokesman for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said those 10 people were taken to the hospital, with a few others being treated at the airport. By noon, majority of the passengers have been cleared and are off the aircraft, according to Phillips.
Port Authority Executive Director, Rick Cotton added; “The PAPD and Port Authority airport operations staff are coordinating closely and providing support to the CDC and CBP as necessary. The CDC will provide further updates as they become available.”
An Emirates spokeswoman said: “Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on board flight EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill,”
“On arrival at JFK, as a precaution, they were immediately checked by local health authorities and those needing medical attention will be attended to.” She said all other passengers would be allowed to leave the plane shortly.
Officials from the Port Authority Police Department and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention are on scene, the New York’ mayor office confirmed.
