Turbulence hits Emirates flight,23 injured

Turbulence hits Emirates flight,23 injured
PTI
KOCHI, APRIL 25
364 passengers and crew of a Kochi-bound Emirates flight from Dubai today had a narrow escape when the plane encountered severe turbulence over Bangalore region leading to injuries to 23 people on board.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation launched an inquiry into the incident that occurred at 8.50 am and grounded the aircraft.
Terming it as a “serious” incident, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said in Dubai that it has also launched an investigation and was coordinating with Indian civil aviation authorities.
The GCAA said 23 people, including three crew members, were injured, but the airline put the number at 20.
Most of the passengers in the flight were in a “state of shock and looked worried”, airport sources said.
The Boeing aircraft EK530 with 350 passengers and 14 crew members on board encountered a weather cloud at 35,000 feet over Bangalore region. A short period of heavy turbulence prior to descent into India caused minor injuries to about 20 persons, including a child, Emirates said in a statement.
The drop in altitude was minor — a descent of 200ft — and the aircraft landed safely, it said.
“An inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The DGCA is carrying out air safety investigation. The aircraft will leave the country only after it is certified,” Director General of Civil Aviation Nasim Zaidi told PTI in New Delhi.
One of the passengers, Biju Thomas (40), was admitted to the Little Flower hospital at nearby Angamally with a shoulder dislocation.
The sources said the pilots requested for medical assistance while landing at the International Airport here. About seven passengers were brought to the Amrita medical investigation room at the airport. Some had injuries on the scalp, eyebrows and pain in the neck.