British Airways flight diverted to Venice after onboard illness

A British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh was forced to make an emergency landing in Venice on December 23 after several passengers and cabin crew reported feeling unwell in midair, passengers said, prompting a hazmat team to board the plane and an eight hour delay before the aircraft returned to London. The incident left travellers shaken and sparked a dispute over compensation and what caused the onboard illnesses.

Passenger Melanie Wells, 61, who was travelling with her 19 year old daughter on an all inclusive holiday package, said she developed a severe headache shortly after takeoff and within two hours observed multiple people becoming ill and crew members collapsing in the aisle. "About six people fell seriously ill on board while we were in the air," she said. Wells described ambulances, fire engines and emergency crews in full protective suits with breathing apparatus and testing devices surrounding and then boarding the aircraft in Venice. She said passengers were given little information during the ordeal and feared they had inhaled toxic fumes.

British Airways said the aircraft diverted as a precaution because of a technical issue onboard. A...