A Turkish Airlines flight from Iran diverted to Ankara instead of the Istanbul destination due to 17 passengers suspected of being infected with nCoV.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Turkish Airlines today decided to divert a flight departing from Tehran, scheduled to land in the city of Istanbul, to the capital Ankara at the request of the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Of the 17 passengers suspected of being infected with nCoV, 12 were from the Qom region in Iran, CNN reported, adding that they would be quarantined in Ankara. Turkey's Ministry of Health said passengers and crews will be tested for nCoV and will be quarantined for 14 days.

Turkish media today broadcast a video showing an ambulance lined up next to the plane on the runway in Ankara, with many medical workers wearing protective clothing standing around.

Turkey closed its border on February 23 and cut flights to Iran, which currently records 95 cases of nCoV and 16 deaths. Turkish Airlines said it has extended the cancellation of flights to Iran, except the capital Tehran, until March 10 due to concerns about the spread of nCoV.

The Covid-19 outbreak has been reported in 35 countries and territories after the outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The world currently records more than 80,000 cases, more than 2,700 deaths, mostly in mainland China.