Lufthansa Flight LH573 Makes Emergency Landing in Brazzaville Over Cabin Smell

A Lufthansa Boeing 747‑8 operating as flight LH573 from Johannesburg to Frankfurt emitted the international emergency transponder code 7700 after the crew detected an undefined smell in the cabin. The aircraft, a twelve‑year‑old plane registered D‑ABYO, diverted from its planned route and landed safely at Brazzaville International Airport in the Republic of Congo. All 363 passengers and crew were unharmed, were taken to a hotel, and were later scheduled to continue to Frankfurt on a replacement aircraft. Lufthansa confirmed the incident, stating the landing was normal and that the aircraft will remain in Brazzaville for a technical inspection.

The airline noted that such an emergency signal can be triggered by technical faults, engine problems, severe weather, or medical emergencies, but the exact cause of the smell has not been identified.