Passengers were deplaned after a pilot lost consciousness before takeoff.

Flight crews declared an emergency when the captain passed out aboard China Eastern Airlines flight MU9845 which had departed from Harbin, China, to Seoul, South Korea, on the evening of March 4.

A witness onboard the Airbus A320 recalled seeing the pilot foaming at the mouth and convulsing, prompting flight attendants to request an emergency return to Harbin Taiping International Airport 15 minutes after takeoff.

Footage shows ambulances and emergency responders on standby outside the aircraft, waiting as passengers disembarked.

Passenger Wang Xiaomeng said: 'Someone needed emergency treatment, and the plane returned. After landing, medical staff did not immediately board the aircraft to assist but first evacuated all passengers and awaited further instructions.'

Local media reported that the airline arranged flight MU5598 was originally scheduled for the Harbin–Shanghai Hongqiao route, to operate as a replacement for MU9845 to Seoul.