17 people were injured on an Air India flight that experienced severe turbulence, plummeting 300 feet mid-air.

“Earlier today, Air India flight AI2379 operating from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise. After the momentary event, the aircraft continued normally and landed safely in Delhi,” the airline stated on X.

“The Airbus A320neo aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. Of these, 13 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation. As of 18:50 hrs on 4 August, five passengers have been discharged, while the remaining individuals continue to receive treatment and care. Air India teams remain at the hospitals and in close contact with those affected to provide all necessary assistance and support,” the statement continued.

“In accordance with established safety and regulatory procedures, the relevant regulatory authorities have been informed. Air India is fully cooperating with the investigation, and the aircraft manufacturer has also been notified. Air India’s foremost priority remains the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew. We will continue to support those affected and their families and will work closely with the relevant authorities throughout the course of the investigation,” it added.

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“The aircraft seemed to be moving normally but suddenly the turbulence began. I saw my sister thrown into the air from her seat. My mother was knocked on her head. My phone fell,” one shaken female passenger told Asian News International [ANI].

“People sitting behind me suffered injuries,” she added. “A male passenger had blood on his face. We thought we would die. It was really scary. I was shaking and crying.”

Another passenger, who is planning to take legal action against Air India, said that the incident occurred about 90 minutes after takeoff.

The mid-air nightmare happened just over a year after London-bound Air India flight 171 crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat, killing all 241 people on board, except for one sole surviving passenger.

Footage showed one injured passenger being moved on a stretcher to be transported to the hospital.

Watch below:

PEOPLE shared further:

One cabin crew member is believed to have suffered severe injuries, per The Times of India. The aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet in altitude during the incident, the outlet stated, citing a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India official.

“My father was sitting on the aisle seat and was having coffee,” one passenger said, according to the outlet. “Suddenly, a big jolt happened, and he flew and hit the roof and fell on the floor.”

The passenger said that his mother hit her head on the overhead compartment, while his wife and 2-year-old daughter had been thrown into the aisle, the newspaper reported.

 

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