Intense turbulence on Etihad flight breaks overhead bins, sends passengers to the hospital
An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta ran into severe turbulence on Wednesday afternoon, injuring 31 people onboard.
The Airbus A330-200 struck turbulence about 45 minutes before it landed at Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Airport, the airline confirmed.
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The turbulence was intense enough to break overhead cabins.
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Paramedics met the flight as passengers disembarked, treating 22 passengers for minor injuries on the ground and transporting nine others, including one crew member, to the hospital.
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"Etihad Airways has sent a support team from its home base in Abu Dhabi, and is assisting passengers scheduled to travel on this flight, by rebooking them on alternate flights or providing hotel accommodation," the airline said in a statement.
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The eight-hour flight landed in Jakarta at 2:50 p.m. local time. The plane's return flight from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to cabin damage.
"It is testament to the high standard of our crew training that the effects of the turbulence were minimized," said Etihad CEO James Hogan in a statement. "At no time was the safety of the aircraft, passengers or crew compromised.”
UPDATED Thurs 12:10 p.m. ET with video and statement from Etihad.
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Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
