Twelve individuals sustained injuries after a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence on Sunday. The flight, QR017, landed safely in Dublin shortly before 1 PM local time, where it was met by emergency services including airport police and the fire and rescue department.
According to Dublin Airport, six passengers and six crew members were injured during the flight, with eight requiring hospital treatment following an on-site assessment. The turbulence occurred as the aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, flew over Turkey.
Passengers described the harrowing experience, detailing how flight attendants were thrown into the air, striking the cabin ceiling. “There was panic, the look of panic everywhere,” said passenger Emma Rose Power. Another passenger, Cathal, recounted how his shorts were torn apart as he was tossed around the cabin.
Eileen, another passenger, shared her terror, explaining how her partner had to hold her down to prevent her from being launched out of her seat as she slept without a seatbelt. “It was so scary… I am not in a hurry to get back on a plane, I can tell you,” she said, visibly shaken.
Qatar Airways confirmed the incident in a statement to CNN, noting that a small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries and are receiving medical attention. The airline has launched an internal investigation, emphasizing that the safety and security of passengers and crew remain its top priority.
Despite the incident, Dublin Airport reported that its operations were unaffected. The return flight to Doha, QR018, is scheduled to proceed, albeit with a delay.
This incident comes days after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence, which resulted in over 100 injuries and one fatality.
Experts suggest that climate change may be increasing the frequency and severity of turbulence, particularly clear air turbulence, which occurs without visible warning signs like storms or clouds.
