Sunday, April 25, 2010

13 injured after Kochi-bound plane encounters heavy turbulence

KOCHI: About 13 passengers and crew of an Emirates flight from Dubai to Kochi were injured Sunday when the aircraft ferrying 361 people encountered severe turbulence while flying over Bangalore region shortly before landing at the airport here.

Immediately after the incident at 08.50 am, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched an inquiry into the incident and grounded the plane.

The Boeing aircraft EK530 with 347 passengers and 14 crew members on board encountered a weather cloud near Bangalore. A short period of heavy turbulence prior to descent into India caused minor injuries to about 20 persons, Emirates said in a statement.

DGCA said officials have started recording the statements of the injured, cabin crew and pilots as part of investigations into the incident.

One of the passengers, Biju Thomas (40) has been admitted to the Little Flower hospital at nearby Angamally with shoulder dislocation. A child was among those injured.

Sources said the pilots requested for medical assistance while landing at the International Airport here.

Most of the passengers in the flight were in a state of shock and looked worried, the sources said.

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