Passenger seizes, vomits blood on flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt

After approximately 37 minutes of takeoff from Ho Chi Minh City bound for Frankfurt, Germany, a female Spanish passenger experienced seizures and vomited blood, prompting the captain to return the aircraft to Tan Son Nhat Airport for emergency medical attention.

A representative for Vietnam Airlines announced on the afternoon of 26/1 that an incident occurred on flight VN31, which departed from Ho Chi Minh City for Frankfurt early that morning. Approximately 37 minutes after takeoff, a passenger began experiencing seizures and vomiting blood. The flight crew made an announcement requesting medical assistance. Two doctors on board immediately provided first aid and advised the crew to return to the airport for emergency treatment, ensuring the passenger's safety.

Vietnam Airlines flight VN31 returned to Tan Son Nhat Airport on the morning of 26/1 for a passenger's medical emergency. Photo: Flightradar

Following an assessment of the passenger's health and expert medical advice from the doctors, the captain decided to turn back to Tan Son Nhat Airport. The crew coordinated with the operations center and ground units to prepare for the medical support plan.

The aircraft landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 1:39 AM on the same day. The passenger was transferred to airport medical personnel for ongoing monitoring and treatment, accompanied by a family member and an airline representative.

This itinerary adjustment delayed the flight by approximately 2 hours 55 minutes, also impacting several passengers' connecting flights. The aircraft departed again at 3:04 AM that day, resuming its journey to Frankfurt.

The passenger has since been admitted to Tam Anh General Hospital, located about two kilometers from the airport. The nature of the illness and the passenger's prior medical history remain unknown.