Passengers recount terrifying turbulence on Air India flight
At least 17 passengers and crew members were injured after an Air India flight encountered severe turbulence while travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi, prompting frightened passengers to fear the aircraft might crash.
According to Indian media, the flight was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it was hit by sudden and intense turbulence mid-air. The violent shaking reportedly caused the aircraft to drop abruptly, leaving several passengers and crew members injured. The aircraft also sustained minor damage during the incident.
The flight landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where emergency medical teams were waiting. Injured passengers were taken from the aircraft on stretchers and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
An Italian passenger described the ordeal as one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. She said the turbulence was so powerful that her sister was thrown out of her seat, while her mother suffered a head injury. She added that several passengers were hurt, including one man whose face was covered in blood.
“We thought we were going to die,” the passenger said, recalling the frightening moments during the flight.
Air India, however, said none of the passengers or crew members suffered life-threatening injuries. The airline stated that those injured were taken to hospital as a precaution for medical evaluation.
According to the airline, five people were discharged shortly after receiving treatment, while the remaining injured passengers continue to receive medical care.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers posed by severe in-flight turbulence, although aviation experts note that such events are relatively rare and commercial aircraft are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
