A United Airlines flight traveling from Baltimore to San Francisco was forced to divert to Virginia's Dulles International Airport after several passengers fell ill due to a "strong odor" in the cabin on Friday.
The airline confirmed the flight landed safely and that multiple passengers were taken to local hospitals for further evaluation.
"The aircraft landed safely and taxied to a gate. Customers were immediately deplaned and evaluated by medical personnel. Several customers were transported to local hospitals," United said in a statement to Fox News. "Customers will be rebooked on flights to San Francisco from Washington-Dulles."
A representative for Dulles confirmed that the Boeing 737 was met by the airport's fire and rescue team and said that a total of seven passengers had been transported to area hospitals.
A Washington, D.C.-based blogger who was on the flight said a "faint fuel smell was on the plane before we departed and was quite strong while in the air."
The passenger added that about 20 people were complaining of a variety of symptoms, including nausea, headaches and chest pains, among others. "United reps are here and claim to be taking care of hospital bills and other expenses," the passenger wrote in a Twitter post.
Friday's incident comes just a few days after a United flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles was forced to make an emergency landing following reports of smoke coming from the cockpit.
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