On Tuesday, an Air India flight traveling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi experienced turbulence while cruising, causing a short-lived altitude fluctuation and resulting in minor injuries to a few passengers and crew members.
Footage from the airport showed ambulances positioned outside the terminal gate, with several passengers being helped out in wheelchairs, while others, sporting head bandages, were escorted away for medical assessment.
In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said flight AI2379 experienced a "brief in-flight turbulence-related event" while en route to Delhi.
Air India stated that flight AI2379, traveling from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, encountered a short turbulence-related incident while cruising, which led to a temporary fluctuation in altitude. The airline reported that the plane touched down safely in Delhi, and all passengers and crew exited without any issues.
No serious injuries have been reported so far. A limited number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries, requiring medical evaluation, have been transported to an airport medical facility for precautionary examination and treatment by Air India’s airport staff and medical team, the spokesperson said. In an interview with ANI after landing, a passenger recounted that the turbulence struck abruptly and was extremely intense, saying the plane lurched sharply while many travelers were still asleep.
The flight had been airborne for roughly ninety minutes. It was early morning and we were asleep when, without warning, the plane banked and remained in that position for about two to three minutes, the passenger recounted.The passenger stated that several people sustained injuries during the incident.
Approximately 15 to 20 passengers were injured. A baby was among those hurt. I sustained an injury to my lower back, and my brother suffered injuries to his shoulder and back. We will have more details once the medico-legal report is completed," the passenger stated.
Air India further stated that the safety and welfare of its passengers and crew remain its top priority, and that it is providing all necessary support to those impacted."We are providing all necessary support to those affected and are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as part of the investigation," the airline added.
