A flight attendant with Swiss International Airlines has died following an emergency landing in Graz, Austria after an Airbus A220-300 encountered engine problems mid-flight.
The incident occurred on December 23, when the plane flew from Bucharest, Romania, to Zurich, Switzerland. Smoke began to fill the cabin, creating panic among passengers and crew.
Pilots diverted the aircraft to Graz, where all 74 passengers and crew were evacuated on the tarmac. Emergency responders attended to at least 12 people requiring medical attention, with some transported to the hospital. Among them was a cabin crew member who was rushed to intensive care.
Tragically, the young flight attendant succumbed to his injuries on December 30, a week after the incident.
Jens Fehlinger, CEO of Swiss International Airlines, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the crew member, describing him as a beloved colleague.
“We are all deeply shocked by his death. The news leaves us deeply saddened and stunned. Our thoughts are with the young man’s relatives, whose pain must be boundless,” Fehlinger said.
The airline has withheld further details about the deceased or the exact cause of death to respect the privacy of grieving relatives.
Preliminary investigations revealed a technical defect in one of the aircraft’s engines, which caused smoke to fill both the cabin and the cockpit.
Authorities continue to investigate the nature of the malfunction and its impact on the emergency. The tragic event underscores aviation professionals’ critical challenges and the importance of rigorous safety measures during flight emergencies.
