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Qantas grounds Boeing 787 in Rome due to bed bug infestation
Qantas has grounded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Rome following reports of a bed bug infestation on a flight from Perth. The issue was identified in the economy class section of flight QF5, where several passengers reported being bitten during the nearly 17-hour journey.
As a result, the airline cancelled the scheduled return flight from Rome to Perth (QF6) to allow maintenance teams to conduct a deep cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft. Qantas issued an apology to affected passengers, stating they would be provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours.
Parasitology expert Michelle Power from Macquarie University suggested the insects likely entered the cabin via passengers' luggage or clothing, potentially from contaminated hotels. While bed bugs are not considered dangerous, their bites can cause skin irritation and itching. The airline noted that its cabins undergo regular cleaning and preventative disinfection every 50 days.
Entities
Boeing · Boeing 787 Dreamliner · Dr Stephen Doggett · Macquarie University · Michelle Power · Perth · Qantas · Rome
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bed bug infestations on planes may go unnoticed for some time because reactions to bites can be delayed. www.bunburymail.com.au
- [● 4 SOURCES] Affected passengers were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours. traveltalkmedia.com.au · www.bunburymail.com.au · www.iefimerida.gr · www.index.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Qantas cancelled the Rome to Perth flight to perform a deep clean of the aircraft after identifying an issue with some economy class seats. traveltalkmedia.com.au · www.bunburymail.com.au · www.iefimerida.gr · www.index.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Passengers on flight QF5 from Perth to Rome reported being bitten by insects during the journey. traveltalkmedia.com.au · www.bunburymail.com.au · www.iefimerida.gr · www.index.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The airline conducts disinfection of aircraft cabins as a standard precaution every 50 days. www.index.hr