'Serious incident' on flight leaves 23 injured

An investigation was launched by aviation authorities on Sunday after a number of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Kochi suffered minor injuries when the aircraft hit an air pocket.

The airline confirmed to Arabian Business that at least 20 passengers were injured during "heavy turbulence" while cruising at 35,000 feet prior to descent into India. A later statement said the aircraft fell only 200ft, as opposed to the 15,000ft quoted in earlier Indian media reports.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it was coordinating with Emirates Airline and Indian Civil Aviation Authority to investigate the reason for the "serious incident".

Its preliminary report said that of 23 people injured, three were crew members and all injuries were classified as minor (sprains, bumps & bruises).

Earlier, Indian media reported that the pilot managed to control the flight and landed safely at the Kochi airport.

A team of doctors examined all those passengers who suffered shock and bruises when the aircraft landed in Kochi, the airline said.

Majid Al Mualla, senior vice president, Commercial Operations West Asia & Indian Ocean, said: "EK530 from Dubai to Kochi encountered a short period of heavy turbulence prior to descent into India.

"There were 350 passengers on board the flight, 20 of whom suffered minor injuries. The flight landed safely in Kochi and the captain requested medical support to meet the aircraft.

"All affected passengers were treated and have now been released. Emirates places the highest importance on the safety of our passengers and staff."

One passenger told the Times of India: "Some of the passengers were shouting and crying for help. And for three minutes no one knew what was happening. Many were thrown out of their seats; some had their heads hitting the roof of the aircraft. A child was thrown out of the seat. We felt that everything was coming to an end."

He added that the passengers clapped when the aircraft landed safely at the Kochi airport.

An air pocket is a downward air current that causes an aircraft to lose altitude abruptly. It is a localised region of low air density or a descending air current, causing an aircraft to suffer an abrupt decrease in height.