Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Hanoi-bound flight diverted to Kolkata after passenger's critical illness
A plane flying from Frankfurt to Hanoi had to land in Kolkata early Wednesday morning because a passenger, a 66-year-old man named Ludwig Manfred Buhler, became very sick.
He had a serious problem in his brain called a cerebral haemorrhage.
Doctors had to operate on him and he is now in the hospital on special machines to help him breathe.
The plane had 276 people on board and it finally left for Hanoi after the sick man was taken to the hospital.
The hospital and the airport told the German consulate in Kolkata about what happened.
A Vietnam Airlines flight from Frankfurt to Hanoi was diverted to Kolkata due to a medical emergency involving a passenger.
The passenger, Ludwig Manfred Buhler, a 66-year-old German national, suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and was unconscious upon examination.
The flight landed in Kolkata at 3:32 AM and Buhler was taken to Apollo Multispeciality Hospital for surgery and ventilation support.
Buhler's condition is reported as critical, and the hospital and airport authorities have informed the German consulate.
The flight resumed its journey to Hanoi after completing routine procedures.
- Who
- Ludwig Manfred Buhler, a 66-year-old German national
- What
- A flight diversion due to a medical emergency
- When
- Early Wednesday morning
- Where
- From Frankfurt to Hanoi, diverted to Kolkata
- Why
- A passenger suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and required immediate medical attention
- Flight Origin
- Frankfurt
- Flight Destination
- Hanoi
- Diversion Location
- Kolkata
- Passenger Nationality
- German
- Passenger Age
- 66
- Passenger Condition
- Critical
- Medical Issue
- Cerebral haemorrhage
- Hospital
- Apollo Multispeciality Hospital
- Number of Passengers
- 276
- Time of Landing
- 3:32 AM