Several People Injured as Turkish Airlines Plane Encounters Severe Turbulence

A Turkish Airlines plane was travelling to Taipei when it experienced severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to several passengers and crew members. According to Taoyuan Airport, flight TK24 was carrying a total of 17 crew members and 214 passengers when the incident occurred.

Also read: Severe Turbulence on a Korean Air Flight Sends Meals Flying

Leaving a wake of food strewn all over

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A video taken by a lady shows the aftermath of the flight turbulence, with food strewn everywhere on the floor and also affecting passengers who were seated around her. 

Image credit: aviationbrk | Twitter

In the video, the woman recounts her experience of the flight turbulence as she describes it as “scary” twice while picking food off her head, appearing calm and not visibly shaken. She also shares another look, showing what appears to be coffee stains all over the overhead compartment right above her.  

Turkish Airlines releases an official statement

Turkish Airlines stated that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence due to adverse weather conditions approximately two hours before landing at Taipei Songshan Airport.

When the plane landed, it was determined that two crew members and four passengers had sustained injuries, with two of the injured passengers transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment at their request. The plane stayed on the ground for around four hours before taking off again as planned.

Turkish Airlines expressed regret over the incident and said that the airline is closely monitoring the condition of the injured individuals.

Also read: Singapore Airlines Imposes New Protocols After Severe Turbulence

The Turkish Airlines flight TK24 incident joins the spate of cases involving flight turbulence such as the fatal Singapore Airlines incident and the more recent Korean Air flight turbulence incident. While this may begin to feel like a norm for the future of air travel, it also serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the potential risks associated with severe turbulence. 

Therefore, passengers should take flight safety measures seriously by remaining seated with seatbelts fastened, and leaving their seats only when necessary. In complying with these measures, each passenger can contribute to providing a comfortable flying experience for everyone on board.  

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