EVA Air flight attendant's death under investigation

Taoyuan, Oct. 13 (CNA) Labor inspectors in Taoyuan have launched an investigation into the death of an EVA Airways flight attendant who reportedly fell ill during a long-haul flight from Milan to Taiwan and later died.

The Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection said Monday that investigators will question flight attendants and the purser on duty to determine whether the deceased employee, a 34-year-old woman surnamed Sun (孫), was denied medical assistance or discouraged from taking sick leave.

Sun, who joined EVA Air in December 2016, was assigned to the flight from Milan to Taoyuan on Sept. 24 and reported feeling unwell during the return leg. She sought medical treatment upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport on Sept. 25.

After getting medication at a nearby clinic, Sun returned home but was admitted to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on Sept. 26 as her condition worsened.

She was later transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung on Oct. 8, where she died two days later, officials said. No cause of death has been given to date.

The office said Sun's work records showed an average of about 75 flight hours per month over the past six months, within regulatory limits.

There have been allegations circulating online, however, that supervisors ignored signs that she was not well, and labor officials said they will determine whether proper medical and reporting procedures were followed.

Saying it was "deeply saddened" by Sun's death, EVA Air has launched an internal investigation into the matter.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said the purser in charge did not mention any crew member illness in the post-flight report but added that the airline was contacting the rest of the crew to verify the details.

EVA Air has been fined seven times since 2023 totaling NT$2.95 million (US$90,000) for labor violations, mostly related to people working overtime.

A post that went viral on social media earlier this week alleged that Sun's requests for rest and medical assistance were ignored and that cabin crew often fear taking sick or personal leave because it could affect performance reviews and bonuses.

The CAA said it will continue to monitor EVA Air's handling of the case and review whether the airline followed all safety and labor regulations.

In a joint statement, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union and EVA Air's corporate union expressed their condolences to Sun's family and urged a thorough investigation.

They also called on the airline to improve its sick leave policies and ensure that crew members can report health issues without fear of being penalized.