The incident forced an emergency landing that left travellers stranded overnight.

Digital StaffBy Digital Staff

Qantas flight diverted after cabin fumes

(Source: 7NEWS)

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A Qantas flight from Canberra to Perth has been forced to make an emergency landing in Adelaide after passengers began feeling unwell from a mechanical smell in the cabin.

Flight Q857 was diverted mid-journey, with paramedics called in as a precaution to assess more than a dozen people who reported experiencing a metallic taste in their mouths.

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“There was an issue with the lounge and something with fumes,” one passenger said.

Another passenger seated at the front of the aircraft said they could smell it quite strongly.

The unexpected landing created a cascade of problems for travellers. Because the aircraft arrived after curfew, passengers were stranded in the terminal until first light with no way to leave.

“Pretty knackered,” one exhausted passenger said.

The flight was diverted to Adelaide.The flight was diverted to Adelaide. Credit: 7NEWS

Making matters worse, most nearby hotels were at full capacity thanks to the Gather Round.

“By the time they found things it was only like if they went they’d only be gone for like 90 minutes and then have to come back to the airport,” one passenger said.

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Passengers were eventually rebooked on the first flights out on Saturday morning, with relieved travellers finally walking through the arrival gates at Perth airport.

The aircraft has since returned to service after being cleared by engineers overnight.

Paramedics were called in as a precaution.Paramedics were called in as a precaution. Credit: 7NEWS

Qantas says the diversion was purely a precaution and has apologised to customers for the inconvenience.

The incident has been reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is gathering further information to determine whether there will be an investigation.

“The main thing is that everyone was safe,” one passenger said.