A Qatar Airways flight traveling from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence on Sunday, resulting in injuries to twelve passengers and crew members. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, designated QR017, landed safely at Dublin Airport as scheduled just before 1:00 pm local time. However, upon arrival, emergency services including fire and rescue crews were waiting to meet the aircraft due to reports of injuries sustained during the flight.
According to Dublin Airport officials, six passengers and six crew members reported injuries after the plane hit turbulence while traversing Turkish airspace. The severity of the injuries has not been officially disclosed, but media outlets reported that some passengers described the turbulence as sudden and violent, causing them to be thrown from their seats. One witness onboard the flight recounted seeing a flight attendant flung into the air during the incident. Another passenger stated that the plane dropped for several seconds, sending food and drinks flying throughout the cabin.
The incident comes on the heels of another turbulence-related episode just days prior. A Singapore Airlines flight en route from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after encountering severe turbulence. Tragically, one passenger died on that flight, and dozens more were injured.
While turbulence is a relatively common occurrence in air travel, it rarely results in serious injuries. However, recent studies suggest that climate change may be contributing to an increase in the frequency and severity of air turbulence. Researchers at the University of Reading believe that global warming is leading to more extreme variations in wind speed at different altitudes, which can create more turbulent conditions for aircraft.
Qatar Airways has confirmed that those injured on flight QR017 are receiving medical attention. The airline has also launched an internal investigation into the incident. The focus of the investigation will likely be to determine the cause of the turbulence and assess whether all safety protocols were followed during the event.
The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with air travel. While airlines take extensive precautions to ensure passenger safety, turbulence remains an unpredictable element that can pose a threat.