An Air France flight traveling from Paris to Detroit was forced to divert to Canada after U.S. authorities discovered that a passenger from the Ebola-affected Democratic Republic of Congo had boarded the aircraft despite existing American entry restrictions.
According to U.S. border and health officials, the passenger was not supposed to board the flight under emergency travel screening measures designed to prevent the spread of Ebola into the United States. Authorities said the individual had boarded the aircraft “in error,” prompting immediate action while the plane was already en route across the Atlantic.
The flight was redirected to Canada after U.S. officials informed the airline that the aircraft would not be permitted to land in Detroit until the situation was assessed. Passengers on board said cabin crew later wore protective masks as concerns spread through the aircraft following the captain’s announcement about the diversion.
One passenger told media outlets that the captain reassured travelers there were no technical problems with the plane and that the diversion was solely related to restrictions imposed by U.S. authorities.
Health officials did not publicly confirm whether the passenger was showing symptoms of Ebola or specify when the individual had last traveled through the Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of suspected Ebola cases have been reported during the outbreak.
The Ebola virus is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, causing severe fever, internal bleeding, and organ failure in serious cases. Global health agencies have closely monitored outbreaks in parts of Central Africa due to fears of international spread through air travel.
After assessments were completed, passengers were reportedly allowed to continue to Detroit aboard the same aircraft. Authorities have not announced any confirmed infections connected to the incident.
The diversion has renewed debate over international travel screening systems and how airlines and border agencies handle passengers arriving from regions experiencing deadly disease outbreaks.