In a harrowing incident, twelve people, including six crew members, were injured when a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence. The turbulence struck while the plane was flying over Turkey, leading to injuries among those on board. This incident comes just five days after a similar turbulence-related tragedy on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore.Dublin Airport confirmed that six passengers and six crew members were injured during the Qatar Airways flight. The turbulence hit while the aircraft was flying over Turkey, causing significant distress and injuries to those onboard.Emergency responseEmergency services were ready to assist the injured passengers and crew members as soon as the plane landed. Dublin Airports team provided full assistance to ensure everyone received the care they needed. Passengers were visibly shaken but relieved to have landed safely.13.30 update: ✈️Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6… pic.twitter.com/nB2F4BOcI5— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) May 26, 2024Singapore Airlines flight chaosJust days before the Qatar Airways incident, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man and serious injuries to 20 others. The turbulence forced the flight to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.Chaotic scenes onboardPassengers described terrifying scenes as the plane was violently shaken. Videos and photos from inside the cabin showed food and luggage strewn everywhere, with oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling. The sudden turbulence caught many passengers off guard, leaving them no time to fasten their seatbelts.Investigations underwaySingapores transport minister announced that investigators are analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to understand what happened. Flight tracking data revealed that the Boeing 777-300ER descended 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) within minutes. In response to this incident, Singapore Airlines has tightened seatbelt rules and adopted a more cautious approach to dealing with turbulence.Growing concern over turbulenceTurbulence-related accidents are the most common type of airline incidents, according to a 2021 study by the US National Transportation Safety Board. The study found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents from 2009 through 2018. While these incidents rarely cause aircraft damage, they often result in serious injuries.Passenger safety Experts emphasize the importance of wearing seatbelts at all times while seated. Many passengers tend to be casual about seatbelt use, increasing their risk of injury during unexpected turbulence. The recent incidents underscore the need for stricter adherence to safety protocols.
