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Passengers stuck on board a Las Vegas flight waiting to take off in scorching temperatures became so ill in the extreme heat they started passing out and had to be wheeled off the plane in stretchers.

Some distressed flyers even soiled themselves as they struggled on the oppressive heat – while needed oxygen tanks from flight attendants..

Chaos broke out on a Delta Airlines flight from the Harry Reid International Airport to Atlanta on Monday when passengers reportedly spent nearly four hours sitting on the tarmac with no air conditioning as temperatures climbed to a searing 46C.

The flight had been waiting behind more than a dozen other planes on the clogged-up runway when the heat on board got unbearable and saw multiple passengers become ill, Fox Business reports.

READ MORE: Lad fries egg in deadly 'heat dome' sun brought by La Niña freak weather

Fox News field producer Krista Garvin, who was aboard the flight, said the extreme temperatures saw some passengers "soiling themselves" as others started fainting.

Babies were reportedly screaming as people were told to remain seated and staff started handing out sandwiches to diabetic passengers.

But the situation only got worse and flight attendants were spotted running up and down the aisles with oxygen tanks. Multiple passengers passed out and some had soiled themselves, say reports.

The pilot told passengers to "hit your call button if you’re having a medical emergency," Krista said.

She claimed they were then given the option to disembark from the scorching plane but were told the next flight to Atlanta wouldn't be for days.

As many passengers chose to stay on the flight the temperature on board continued to rise.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at the Harry Reid International Airport fluctuated between 43C and 46C on Monday.

It comes as an Excessive Heat Warning has been put in place for areas across the US, including Arizona, California and Nevada until 8pm on Saturday — with experts warning of a "major to extreme risk of heat-related illness for much of the population."

After spending hours stuck inside the Delta Airlines flight, passengers were told the plane had to return to the gate due to multiple emergencies and paramedics arrived at the scene with stretchers as passengers disembarked back into the airport.

Krista said she saw at least five people being wheeled off the plane in a stretcher, including one staff member who was wearing an oxygen mask.

After getting off the plane passengers were informed flight attendants had also fallen ill which meant the flight may not be able to take off.

It was initially delayed until 7am the next day but by the morning the flight had been cancelled.

Delta Airlines told CNN at least one person had been treated for "heat-related discomfort" on board the flight after experiencing "uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin".

The airline said they are currently investigating the incident.

"We apologize for the experience our customers had on flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on July 17, which ultimately resulted in a flight cancellation," they said in a statement.

"Delta teams are looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin and we appreciate the efforts of our people and first responders at Harry Reid International."

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• Heatwave
• United States

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