Hanoi (VNA) - A Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai made an unscheduled landing in Hong Kong (China) on June 24 after a passenger fell seriously ill mid-flight.
Flight VN524, an Airbus A350, was carrying nearly 250 people when passenger T.A.T. in seat 1K began showing signs of deteriorating health. Cabin crew rushed to provide first aid following standard onboard medical procedures, but the passenger’s condition failed to improve.
The flight crew quickly diverted to Hong Kong International Airport to provide urgent medical attention. Vietnam Airlines’ ground team in Hong Kong scrambled an ambulance and medical staff to meet the aircraft the moment it touched down. The plane landed at 10:59 (local time).
Local medical staff immediately transferred the ailing passenger to a nearby hospital to seek proper medical care. Flight VN524 was back in the air heading to Shanghai at 12:10 (local time), just over an hour after landing.
Vietnam Airlines said the diversion was driven by the passenger’s condition, and the airline followed all operational safety rules. Ensuring timely medical assistance for passengers in such situations remains the airline’s top priority.
This was not the first time Vietnam Airlines had made emergency stops. Earlier cases saw flights rerouted to Kolkata on a Frankfurt–Hanoi route, Istanbul on a Frankfurt–Ho Chi Minh City journey, Da Nang on a Hanoi–Siem Reap service, and Hue on a Da Nang–Hanoi leg, all to rush passengers to care.
The airline advised passengers to be conscious of their health before flying. If any abnormalities are detected, they are encouraged to consult a doctor and consider whether to travel to ensure their own safety./.
