A Kenya Airways (KQ) flight destined for Nairobi from New York was forced to divert to Casablanca, Morocco after a passenger on board was taken ill and later passed away.

Confirming the incident in a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday evening, KQ said the pilots were forced to divert the plane to the Moroccan capital after the passenger was taken ill.

KQ is yet to release the identity and gender of the passenger who experienced the medical emergency only saying that they were confirmed dead by medics on arrival in Morocco.

“On arrival in Casablanca, medical personnel at the airport found the passenger unresponsive and was confirmed to have passed away,” said KQ in a statement.


"We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and sincerely apologise to our other guests for the inconvenience," KQ added.

The nature of the passenger’s ailment and their nationality is yet to be disclosed by Kenya Airways with arrangements being made for the relocation of the body after processing.