Detroit-bound flight diverted to Canada over Ebola risk
On Wednesday, a flight from Charles de Gaulle diverted its course from DTW to Montreal. On the flight was a passenger from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A CBP spokesperson says the passenger should not have been on the flight as the US restricted travel from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan on May 18 due to a widening outbreak of Ebola in parts of Africa.
ROMULUS, Mich. (FOX 2) – A flight from France to Detroit Metro Airport was diverted, so a passenger could be removed from the plane because of Ebola concerns.
What we know:
On Wednesday, a flight from Charles de Gaulle diverted its course from DTW to Montreal. On the flight was a passenger from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A CBP spokesperson says the passenger should not have been on the flight as the US restricted travel from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan on May 18 due to a widening outbreak of Ebola in parts of Africa.
“Air France boarded a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo in error on a flight to the United States. Due to entry restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus, the passenger should not have boarded the plane. CBP took decisive action and prohibited the flight carrying that traveler from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and instead, diverted to Montreal, Canada. CBP, in coordination with CDC, is taking the necessary measures to protect public health and reduce the risk of Ebola disease introduction into the United States.”
The passenger was discovered on the plane, leading to the flight being diverted to Canada, where they were removed. The passenger has not been confirmed to be infected with Ebola as of Wednesday evening.
The flight landed in DTW at 8:20 p.m.
FOX 2 reached out to DTW for confirmation, in which they replied:
“Regarding your inquiry, you will need to contact Customs & Border Protection or the CDC.”
FOX 2 will update this report when we learn more.
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