Severe turbulence on a Qatar Airways flight has injured 12 people. Climate change is causing increased turbulence.
A Qatar Airways flight hit severe turbulence over Turkey, leaving 12 people on board injured before landing in Dublin on schedule on Sunday.
Passengers on the flight said at least one crew member was thrown into the air when the plane suddenly lost altitude, according to RTE News. One person recalled that the aircraft plummeted downwards for a few seconds, scattering food and passengers’ belongings around the cabin, while others described feelings of panic and fear on the plane.
The incident comes less than a week after a Singapore Airlines plane travelling from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after hitting turbulence. One person died, and dozens were injured on the flight when the plane suddenly ploughed into an air pocket.
Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha was met with fire and rescue services on arrival shortly before 1 pm local time, Dublin Airport said in a statement. Six passengers and six crew members were injured.
One passenger told RTE News that the seatbelt sign was not illuminated when the Boeing 787 hit turbulence. According to a female passenger, some crew members had their faces scratched, and one man had his arm bandaged.
While fatalities and severe injuries from turbulence are rare, studies show that global warming will make such events more common. Climate change is leading to an increase in turbulence as changes in wind speeds at different altitudes become more extreme, according to a study by meteorologists at the University of Reading.
Qatar Airways said in a statement that those injured on the flight were being treated and that an internal investigation into the incident was underway. ‘The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority,’ the airline said.
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