Twelve individuals were injured during a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin this Sunday after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence.
Flight QR107, while travelling over Turkey, was shaken by unexpected turbulence, causing injuries to six passengers and six crew members aboard.
The Airbus A350, carrying 217 passengers and a crew of 16, landed safely at Dublin Airport just before 1 p.m. local time.
Emergency response teams, including airport police and the fire and rescue department, were promptly at the scene as the aircraft touched down. The swift action facilitated the immediate assessment and aid of those affected.
Following a thorough evaluation on the tarmac, eight of the twelve injured were deemed to need hospital care and were transported for further medical treatment. The nature of the injuries, primarily reported as bruises and sprains, indicated the severity of the turbulence encountered during the flight.
Dublin Airport’s statement on the matter assured the public that despite the emergency, the airport’s operations remained unaffected. The airport’s social media channels were updated regularly to keep the public informed. “Flight operations at Dublin Airport were unaffected and continue as normal this afternoon,” the airport stated, emphasizing a commitment to safety and continuity.
15.00 update:⁰⁰Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6 crew… pic.twitter.com/6rZjQg5vOb
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) May 26, 2024
Meanwhile, the planned return flight to Doha, QR018, experienced a delay but was confirmed to proceed later in the afternoon. Qatar Airways, addressing the media, confirmed the safe landing of the flight in Dublin and noted that those injured were receiving necessary medical attention. The airline has initiated an internal investigation to further understand the dynamics of the incident and possibly prevent future occurrences.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority,” reiterated a spokesperson from Qatar Airways, highlighting the airline’s focus on stringent safety protocols.
This turbulence incident comes just days after another severe event impacted a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, where a sudden drop in altitude resulted in numerous injuries and a fatality due to a heart condition among the passengers.