Qatar Airways pilot dies in flight

Assistant pilot takes control after captain dies while flying aircraft from Manila to Doha.

The pilot died on board a flight from Manila to Doha [EPA]

The captain of a Qatar Airways plane has died while flying the aircraft from the Philippines to the Qatari capital, Doha.

The assistant pilot took control of the plane and the flight was then diverted to Kuala Lumpur where it landed at around 11.30am local time, Qatar Airways said on Wednesday.

Reports say the pilot died of a heart attack. But the company did not confirm the cause of death, or if the flight was ever at risk.

Qatar airways said in a statement that its priority "remains the comfort and safety of its passengers and staff".

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