ZURICH, Switzerland — A tragic incident involving a Swiss International Air Lines flight has led to the death of a flight attendant, who succumbed a week after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing due to smoke filling the cabin. The flight, which was traveling from Bucharest to Zurich, was diverted to Graz, Austria, on December 23 following engine issues that caused smoke to enter both the cockpit and cabin. The airline confirmed that the attendant passed away on December 30 while in intensive care at a Graz hospital.

Swiss CEO Jens Fehlinger expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We are devastated at our dear colleague's death”. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family during this overwhelmingly difficult time, and emphasized the company's grief at the loss of a valued team member. The flight, designated LX1885, successfully evacuated all 74 passengers, with twelve requiring medical attention due to the incident.

As part of the investigation, initiated by the public prosecutor's office in Graz, a forensic examination of the deceased attendant's body has been ordered. In addition, an aviation expert is aiding the inquiry alongside Swiss to determine the causes behind the engine failure. Initial findings suggest there may have been a technical issue with one of the engines, although the full range of factors remains under examination. The airline has pledged cooperation with relevant authorities, and both CBS News and Business Insider reported on this ongoing investigation.

Following the incident, Swiss International Air Lines is also conducting its own internal review to understand the impacts on both passengers and crew. The focus includes the engine's mechanical components and the use of Protective Breathing Equipment by the cabin crew, as they seek to clarify any missteps leading to the unfortunate event.

This incident has shed light on the critical importance of safety protocols in aviation, and the airline has committed to ensuring that all findings will be thoroughly evaluated, allowing for necessary measures to be implemented to prevent similar situations in the future. AP News reported further discussions among industry experts regarding improvements to flight safety practices in light of this tragedy.