International Desk
27 May
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a recent incident of in-flight turbulence, Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha to Dublin experienced severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to 12 individuals, including six passengers and six crew members. The incident occurred while the aircraft was flying over Turkey.
According to initial reports, the turbulence was caused by a sudden weather disturbance that disrupted the plane’s stability. Passengers and crew were thrown from their seats, leading to injuries of varying degrees. Emergency protocols were swiftly enacted, and the injured were provided with immediate medical assistance upon landing.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another severe turbulence event involving a Boeing flight bound for Singapore. That flight saw over 100 passengers injured, with 20 suffering serious injuries and one passenger succumbing to a heart attack.
The aviation community is on high alert following these incidents, as turbulence-related injuries, while rare, have the potential to cause significant harm. Experts suggest that unpredictable weather patterns and climate changes could be contributing factors to the increase in such events.
Passengers on the Qatar Airways flight recounted the harrowing experience, describing how the plane suddenly jolted and shook violently. “It felt like a roller coaster,” one passenger said, adding that despite the chaos, the crew remained calm and professional, helping to manage the situation as best as they could.
In response to the incident, Qatar Airways issued a statement expressing concern for the injured passengers and crew. The airline assured that safety measures were in place and that an investigation would be conducted to understand the causes of the turbulence and prevent future occurrences.
The aviation industry is continually striving to enhance safety protocols and improve the resilience of aircraft to such sudden disturbances. As these incidents highlight the unpredictability of weather-related challenges, airlines are urged to reinforce their focus on passenger safety and crew preparedness.
This series of turbulence-related incidents has prompted calls for further research into weather patterns and the development of advanced technology to better predict and mitigate the impacts of turbulence on flights. In the meantime, passengers are reminded to keep their seatbelts fastened while seated, as advised by cabin crew, to minimize injury risk during unexpected turbulence.