Chinese passengers stranded in Denmark airport after Covid-19 misdiagnosis

45 travellers stuck in transit in Copenhagen following faulty tests that stopped them from boarding Shanghai-bound flight

Airport says tests were conducted by an independent operator who rented premises at the facility

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More than 50 Chinese transit passengers missed a flight to Shanghai after they were misdiagnosed with the coronavirus in Copenhagen. Photo: AP

Published: 4:31pm, 12 Feb 2022

More than 40 Chinese passengers remained camped out in Denmark’s main international airport on Saturday after they were misdiagnosed with the coronavirus and missed their flight to China.

Copenhagen Airport said the 45 travellers were among 54 who flew in from Britain on Tuesday and were scheduled to transfer to the Shanghai-bound flight but tested positive at an independently operated clinic in the facility and were not allowed to board the flight.

According to the airport, further tests were conducted at the airport’s designated Covid-19 testing centre Falck and returned negative results for all 54.

The airport said the misdiagnosis was not the airport’s responsibility, as the test was “facilitated by a doctor who rents premises at the airport”.

“This doctor is recognised by the Chinese government to carry out Covid-19 tests,” airport spokesman Soren Rosenkilde Clausen said.

“The 54 were offered to go back to the UK as they have no visa for Denmark.”

Clausen said nine of the group had since taken flights to other destinations while 45 remained at the airport.