At least 11 people were hospitalized after the plane they were traveling on was hit by "severe turbulence" as it approached Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States.
Both passengers and crew members sustained injuries after Delta flight 175 from Milan, Italy, experienced "severe turbulence" before landing safely in Georgia state on Tuesday, the airline said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explained that the plane, which was carrying 151 passengers and 14 crew members, was 40 miles northeast of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when turbulence was reported.
The aircraft, an Airbus A350, landed safely at the airport shortly before 7:00 p.m., according to The Associated Press.
Rescuers provided medical attention upon their arrival at the airport and transported the injured to a hospital, he said.
"Our priority is to take care of our customers and crew members who suffered injuries," Delta said.
Videos posted on social media show the moment when several passengers had to be taken off the Delta aircraft on stretchers.
The shared images show at least two people being carried on stretchers down the aisle of the Airbus A350 after it landed safely at Atlanta International Airport.
As well as a woman, believed to be one of the flight attendants, being escorted off the plane with a bandage on her head and a neck brace, while a passenger leaves holding an ice pack on his head.
Other crew members were also filmed while sitting in wheelchairs and wearing neck braces inside the terminal.
The passenger who recorded the video recalled how the plane suddenly "dropped" as it entered turbulence, causing many people to "fly out of their seats.".
"A woman hit the overhead compartment and broke it. There were several injuries, including most of the flight attendants," he posted on social media.
A couple on board, who did not want to be identified, told Fox5 that passengers had to remain on the plane for approximately two hours while the injured, including some who appeared to have "serious head injuries," were triaged and escorted out.
"A lot of blood and horror," the passenger said of the scene on board. "My fiancée and I were so scared that we rented a car and drove to our final destination.".
Source: Diario Libre USA
