Passengers on a charter Virgin Atlantic flight were “quarantined” after dozens were struck down with sickness while on board.

Five crew members reportedly became unwell during the flight from Barbados which landed at London Gatwick at 5.20am this morning.

Flight VS610 was met by police wearing masks, who boarded the plane and escorted passengers and crew to a holding area to be medically assessed.

The illness was not immediately diagnosed, although those on the flight reportedly came down with hacking coughs and sore throats.

Passengers are thought to have flown home following a cruise in Barbados.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed it was called to attend an inbound flight at Gatwick airport shortly before 5am on 6 March following reports of a number of crew and passengers feeling unwell and nauseous.

“We sent ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team and a number of other specialist paramedics to the scene,” said a spokesperson.

JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Show all 9 1 /9 JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Emirates plane in quarantine at JFK airport after '100 passengers fall seriously ill' ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill The emergency services are seen, after the passengers were taken ill Reuters JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Passengers leave the plane being assisted by the air cabin crew and the emergency services REUTERS JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Emergency response crews gather outside the plane AP JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Passengers leave the plane being assisted by the air cabin crew and the emergency services REUTERS JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Air cabin crew members and the emergency services are seen leaving the plane, after the passengers were taken ill on a flight from New York to Dubai, on JFK Airport, New York, U.S., September 05, 2018 in this still image obtained from social media. Larry Coben/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. SOCIAL MEDIA Reuters JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Local news outlets said up to 100 of the 500 passengers were suffering from coughs and fevers ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill According to a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio, the flight originated in Dubai and stopped over in Mecca, which was experiencing a flu outbreak. Authorities were considering this as a possible source for the illness ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill The New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau said they were monitoring a "medical situation" at the airport. The Centres for Disease Control and New York Fire Department were also on the scene ABC

Paramedics treated 30 people, most of whom were able to be discharged from the scene following medical advice. However, three patients were taken to hospital for further treatment.

Virgin Atlantic said: “A number of customers onboard the VS610, which landed at London Gatwick this morning from Barbados, reported feeling unwell.

“As a precaution the plane was met by the relevant authorities who made the decision to screen everyone onboard, in line with standard health and safety procedures.

“The wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are supporting those affected.

“Customers have now left the aircraft and can continue their journeys as normal.”