In a harrowing incident, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin was struck by turbulence, resulting in injuries to twelve individuals, eight of whom required hospitalization. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight QR017, experienced the turbulence while flying over Turkey, according to statements from Dublin Airport.
The flight, which landed safely in Dublin shortly before 1 p.m. local time, was met by emergency services, including airport police and the fire and rescue department. The injured included six passengers and six crew members. "Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, due to six passengers and six crew reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey," the airport stated.
Passengers on board recounted a terrifying scene. Paul Mocc, a passenger, told Irish broadcaster RTE that he saw “people hitting the roof” and food and drink flying everywhere. Emma Rose Power, another passenger, described flight attendants with scratches on their faces and one with a sling on her arm after the incident.
Qatar Airways confirmed the incident, stating that “a small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries in flight and are now receiving medical attention.” The airline has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
This incident comes on the heels of a similar event where a British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens of people were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence. While fatalities due to turbulence are rare, injuries have been steadily increasing over the years. Some experts suggest that climate change may be impacting flying conditions, leading to an increase in turbulence encounters.
The incident has not affected overall operations at Dublin Airport. The return flight to Doha, flight QR018, was scheduled to operate as normal, albeit with a delay. As investigations continue, the airline industry grapples with the increasing challenge of ensuring passenger safety in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
More for you:
