Stranded astronaut Sunita Williams said the growing concerns about her health were nothing but “rumors” — as she attributed the change in her appearance to “fluid shift.” Williams, 59, sparked concern last week when she appeared in a NASA photo looking gaunt, with sunken cheeks and a noticeably thinner frame.

Upon noticing the odour, the crew swiftly closed the hatch to isolate the affected area from the rest of the Russian segment.