A Lufthansa flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a 63-year-old German passenger died on board during a late-night flight from Bangkok to Munich on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The sudden death left fellow passengers and crew members in shock.
The individual, whose identity has not been released, boarded the flight with his wife and was noticeably ill, according to passengers Martin and Karin Missfelder, who were seated nearby. They noted that the man indicated signs of discomfort, such as rapid breathing and cold sweats, as he boarded the plane. However, he was allowed to stay on the flight after his wife explained that his symptoms were due to rushing to catch the plane.
The man’s health took a turn for the worse during the flight. Karin Missfelder, a nursing specialist, suggested to the flight attendants that a doctor should examine him. A Polish doctor on board, who had limited English proficiency, examined the man, but his actions were limited to checking his pulse and asking about his condition. The flight attendants provided the unwell passenger with chamomile tea.
The situation became dire when the man started vomiting blood into a bag, followed by blood flowing from his nose and mouth, which ended up covering portions of the aircraft’s interior, including the walls. Martin Missfelder relayed to the Swiss media outlet Blick that the man lost a lot of blood, resulting in panic among the passengers.
The flight crew tried to resuscitate the man for approximately 30 minutes, but their attempts were unsuccessful. The pilot decided to return to Bangkok 90 minutes into the flight, and the man’s body was subsequently removed from the plane. The original flight was canceled due to the medical emergency, and the passengers were rebooked on subsequent flights. Lufthansa has expressed sympathy regarding the incident but has not disclosed any additional information due to privacy considerations.
This incident brings into focus questions about the airline’s response, including the support provided to the distressed passengers and the deceased man’s wife, who had to deal with customs procedures on her own.
While the airline industry has guidelines in place for handling medical emergencies, which include providing first aid by trained crew members and the potential for diverting flights to the nearest airport, this incident highlights the crucial need for thorough assessments of passengers’ health before the flight, particularly in instances of visible illness, and the necessity for comprehensive emergency medical services on board.
