Passengers on a charter Virgin flight were “quarantined” after dozens were struck down with sickness while on board.

Five crew members reportedly became unwell during the flight from Barbados which landed at London Gatwick at 5.20am this morning.

Flight VS610 was met by police wearing masks, who boarded the plane and escorted passengers and crew to a holding area to be medically assessed.

The illness was not immediately diagnosed, although those on the flight reportedly came down with hacking coughs and sore throats.

Passengers are thought to have flown home following a cruise in Barbados.


Rachael Venables

BREAKING: All crew and passengers on a flight from Barbados to Gatwick have had to be medically assessed and quarantined after an outbreak of a 'coughing sickness' on board. It was a specially chartered Virgin flight @LBC
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed it was called to attend an in-bound flight at Gatwick airport shortly before 5am on 6 March following reports of a number of crew and passengers feeling unwell and nauseous.

“We sent ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team and a number of other specialist paramedics to the scene.”

Paramedics treated 30 people, most of whom were able to be discharged from the scene following medical advice. However, three patients were taken to hospital for further treatment.

Virgin Atlantic said: “A number of customers onboard the VS610, which landed at London Gatwick this morning (March 6th) from Barbados, reported feeling unwell.

“As a precaution the plane was met by the relevant authorities who made the decision to screen everyone onboard, in line with standard health and safety procedures.

“The wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are supporting those affected.

“Customers have now left the aircraft and can continue their journeys as normal.”

London Gatwick added that some passengers had left the airport and continued with their journeys by 9.20am

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