Preedee TeoOn Sunday, 4 Aug 2024, a Korean Air flight experienced severe turbulence around 9.40am as it was travelling from Incheon, South Korea to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The plane was flying at an altitude of 34,100 feet near Tianjin Airport in China when it experienced a sudden drop and violent shaking for about 15 seconds.
Also read: Brace Yourself: Severe Turbulence and Climate Change Go Hand in Hand
Chaos on board the plane
Image credit: Teslamusk2000 | X
“The situation on board the Korean Air flight from Incheon to Mongolia yesterday after encountering turbulence,” wrote a user on X who also posted the photo above.
According to a KBC News report, there were 281 passengers on the flight. The turbulence caused food and other items to scatter across the cabin. One passenger described the harrowing experience on X, saying, “Just as I was about to finish eating the in-flight meal, turbulence started and the plane descended rapidly. People were screaming, all the plates were overturned, and there was chaos. For one second, I thought I was going to die.”
Passengers and crew members injured
Image credit: pinkteest | X
The incident resulted in 10 passengers and four crew members suffering neck and back pain. Those who had sustained injuries were attended to by local medical staff who were on standby at Ulaanbaatar Airport. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Korean Air issues new safety measures
Image credit: Matej Divizna via Getty Images
A KBS News report reveals an increase in turbulence-related incidents due to prevailing climate change. In response to this, Korean Air has implemented several preemptive safety measures. These include completing in-flight service earlier than usual before landing and discontinuing the serving of cup ramen in economy class, replacing it with compact meals such as pizza and hot pockets.
Also read: New Korean Air Meal Service Protocols for Smoother Flights
To minimise risk, passengers should remain seated with seat belts fastened during the flight, and only leave their seats when it is necessary. In light of recent turbulence-related incidents, airline companies, including Korean Air, are committed to passenger safety in light of increasing turbulence due to climate change.
Featured image credit: hanitweet | X
Facebook featured image credit: pinkteest | X (L) and Seongjoon Cho | Bloomberg (R)
