One of the comments:
After reading this article and a few ridiculous comments I feel the need to correct some points. I was in-fact a passenger on this very flight, the pilot did take ill but this was not 16 mins into the flight, it was over 2 hours into the flight, we went from 35,000 feet to a quick and safe landing in Sofia, Bulgaria. The landing was made quick and safely by the other pilot with assistance from his crew. There was no panic, no drama whatsoever! The landing was to gain medical help for the pilot and never ever was there any other reason, this was NOT an emergency, brace landing. Credit to the Thomson crew on our flight, as with the other pilot they arranged all the hotels and taxis for all the passengers until they were able to obtain another pilot. We are now all safely in Cyprus. The pilot I hear is now out of hospital and we wish him well. This was an unavoidable situation, passenger safety was never at risk. Thank you to Thomsons for being so professional throughout!