Air India Flight News: Several passengers were injured after a Phuket-Delhi Air India flight encountered severe mid-air turbulence on Tuesday. The airline confirmed that flight AI2379 encountered a brief weather-related event during cruise but managed to recover quickly. According to the news agency PTI, 12 people, including 10 passengers and two crew members were injured in the incident.
In a statement, Air India said "The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers and crew have safely disembarked."
"A small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries requiring medical assessment have been taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and care by Air India’s airport team and medical personnel," it added.
Passengers Recall Horror
A male passenger recounted frightening moments on the flight when passengers were thrown from their seats amid turbulence. He said, "The flight was coming from Phuket. It was an early morning flight scheduled for 8 AM. Between around 9:30 AM and 10 AM, the aircraft suddenly rolled sharply, and all the passengers were thrown around."
"Some people hit the ceiling and then fell to the floor two or three times. Luggage fell on some passengers' heads. One baby, around one to one-and-a-half years old, was thrown about three seats away from the person holding the child... After this experience, I will be scared to travel by flight again," he added.
Viviana, daughter of the injured passenger being moved into an ambulance, said, "I am from Italy. The aircraft seemed to be moving normally but suddenly the turbulence began. I saw my sister thrown up into the air from her seat. My mother was knocked on her head. My phone fell away.”
“People sitting behind me suffered injuries. A male passenger had blood on his face. We thought we would die. It was really scary. I was shaking and crying. It was horrible. I cannot hear well right now,” she added.
No Passenger Showed Major Injury, Claims Doctor
Speaking on the medical examination of the passengers and crew, Dr Ujjwal Vaid, HoD, Emergency Department, Fortis Vasant Kunj said, "We received 4 crew members and 3 passengers...We evaluated them clinically...All of them were conscious and oriented, their vitals were stable. No passenger showed any major injury. We have discharged them with advice on some oral medications. They have been told about danger signs which, if they detect they should come to SOS emergency. They can also follow-up at OPD after 5 days.”
“The 4 crew members are all women. One of them has suffered a spinal fracture. We are further evaluating the others. Nobody had any external injury or open wound,” he added.
DGCA Initiates Investigation
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Tuesday evening that the DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation into the occurrence. It added that the situation is being closely monitored, further stating that passenger safety remains the highest priority