Plane evacuated at Phila. International after 6 fall ill

A plane with 177 passengers was evacuated at Philadelphia International Airport after six people on board fell sick Tuesday night, fire officials said.

US Airways Flight 720 departed from Charlotte, N.C., for Rome at 7:30 p.m., but was diverted to Philadelphia after crew members started falling sick on board, officials said. The plane landed in Philadelphia at 10:19 p.m.

The six crew members were being taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Fire Department crews examined the plane and did not immediately find any evidence of fumes or another cause for the people getting ill.

Passengers were waiting for a new crew to board the plane, which was expected to depart for Rome about 1 a.m., an airline spokesman said.

   - Robert Moran