BA flight to Cayman held in Bahamas over public health concern

A Cayman government minister was among passengers taken off the British Airways Flight 253 from London during its Bahamas stop-off because of a “serious public health concern”.

Finance Minister Rolston Anglin and other passengers were detained in the Bahamas for health screening after the Friday, 22 May flight was held.

Anglin told the Compass, “Everybody is perfectly healthy; everybody is fine.”

He added, “I am not going to speculate on the cause of this. The government has issued a statement.”

Anglin said at about 4.35pm, “We are hoping to continue our journey – probably in a couple of hours.”

But the minister said a little after 6pm that passengers had just been told they would be put up in a hotel overnight and fly out on Saturday.

A press release issue by the Cayman Islands Government said, “The Government wants to assure the public that the Cayman Islands faces no immediate risk at this time.”

One passenger on board said that when the flight landed two passengers were removed because of health and safety fears.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said the rest of the passengers were told to stay on the plane and that they would all have to undergo health testing.

Business class passengers were taken off first, but economy class passengers, where the two passengers at the centre of the scare were seated, were told to remain on board for testing.

When economy class passengers deplaned, they joined the other travellers in a segregated area of the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau.

Bahamian passengers were allowed to leave the airport shortly after their details were taken by officials.

The remaining Cayman passengers were also asked for their personal information.

They were told that they would not be allowed to resume their journey until the plane was “deep-cleaned” and inspected.

The woman said, “We are frustrated, some people are angry, some people are chilled.

“All they have given us is food and water. We don’t know when we will be leaving.”

The latest information on the Cayman Islands Airports Authority flight information page said people should contact British Airways for more information.

Cayman government officials said, “Local health authorities and border control officals are on full alert and in direct communication with their counterparts in the Bahamas.

“They are monitoring the situation closely and will respond swiftly and decisively as circumstances develop.”

The press release added that the health and safety of Caymanians was “the highest priority” and that further updates would be issued as soon as the results of the screening tests were confirmed.

“Members of the public are being asked to remain calm, avoid speculation and rely only on official Government communications for accurate information.”