Air India Flight Encounters Severe Turbulence, Injuring Passengers

The flight, operated by an Airbus A320, encountered severe turbulence during its journey and briefly lost around 300 feet in altitude.

NEW DELHI: A viral video showing damaged overhead bins, debris scattered across the aisle and shaken passengers has emerged after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday.

The video, purportedly recorded inside flight AI2379, captures a cabin crew member repeatedly asking passengers to fasten their seat belts and remain seated. “Please fasten your seat belts. Nobody should get up. Fasten your seat belts,” the crew member can be heard shouting as the aircraft encounters turbulence.

The video shows several overhead bin flaps lying across the aisle, while some compartments are seen open. Cracks can also be seen on parts of the cabin ceiling and damage is visible around the overhead fixtures. In the footage, passengers appear shaken as they look around the cabin and check on each other. Some are seen comforting fellow passengers, while one woman is seen sitting with her head down and holding her head in her hands.

The flight, operated by an Airbus A320, encountered severe turbulence during its journey and briefly lost around 300 feet in altitude, according to officials. It later landed safely in Delhi.

Air India said the aircraft experienced a “brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude”. The airline said all passengers and crew members safely disembarked after the aircraft landed.

A number of passengers and crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment. One passenger, recounting the incident, said people were thrown from their seats during the turbulence. She said her father hit the aircraft roof after being thrown into the air, while her mother, wife and two-year-old daughter also suffered injuries.

Another passenger, Viviana, told news agencies that she saw her sister being thrown into the air and her mother being hit on the head. She said other passengers were also injured.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the incident. The aircraft has been moved to a hangar, while the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been secured for examination. Air India said it was providing support to those affected and cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.