Flight from Paris to Detroit diverted after DR Congo passenger boards amid Ebola outbreak

21 May 2026 • 10:08 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Flight from Paris to Detroit diverted after DR Congo passenger boards amid Ebola outbreak

  • An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal, Canada, after US authorities denied entry to a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
  • US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered the passenger, leading to the diversion due to temporary US entry restrictions related to Ebola.
  • The US has implemented measures denying entry to travelers who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days due to concerns over a new Ebola outbreak.
  • Air France confirmed the diversion was at the request of US authorities, stating there was no medical emergency on board.
  • The passenger was assessed by Canadian health officials, found to be asymptomatic, and flew back to Paris, while other passengers continued to Detroit.

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