LONDON, UK – Twelve individuals sustained injuries aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin on Sunday after encountering severe turbulence, according to authorities at Dublin Airport. Among the injured, eight were later taken to the hospital for further treatment.
The aircraft, identified as flight QR017 and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, successfully landed at its scheduled time before 1 p.m. (1200 GMT). Upon landing, emergency services, including airport police and the fire and rescue department, were on standby to assist the six passengers and six crew members who reported injuries during the turbulence experienced over Turkey.
All passengers were promptly evaluated for injuries while still aboard the plane, with eight individuals requiring further medical attention at the hospital. Qatar Airways released a statement confirming that a small number of passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries and were currently receiving medical care, adding that an internal investigation into the incident was underway.
The turbulence-related incident comes shortly after a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the unfortunate death of a British passenger due to a suspected heart attack. The prevalence of turbulence encounters has been on the rise, leading to concerns raised by meteorologists and aviation analysts regarding the potential impact of climate change on flying conditions.
While turbulence-related fatalities remain rare, the increasing number of injuries over the years underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of air travel. Aviation authorities continue to monitor these trends closely, recognizing the importance of addressing potential risks to passenger safety and well-being in an evolving aviation landscape.