7-8-2024 (SEOUL) A Korean Air flight bound for Mongolia encountered severe turbulence on Sunday, resulting in injuries to 14 individuals on board, including 10 passengers and four cabin crew members. The incident, which occurred on 4 August, has raised concerns about in-flight safety and the unpredictable nature of air travel.
The aircraft, carrying 281 passengers, was cruising at an altitude of 34,100 feet near China’s Tianjin Airport when it suddenly experienced violent turbulence. Passengers reported that the plane “shook violently” for approximately 15 seconds, causing chaos and panic within the cabin.
Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the terrifying moments. One passenger, posting on social media platform X, described the scene: “Just as I was about to finish eating the in-flight meal, turbulence started and the plane descended rapidly. People were screaming, all the plates were overturned, and it was chaos. For one second, I thought, ‘Oh, am I going to die?'”
Travel blogger Kim Hae-in provided a harrowing account on her blog, stating that passengers with unfastened seatbelts were “shot up in the air”. She recounted a particularly alarming incident where “one passenger bounced really high, hit their head on the ceiling and dropped into the aisle”.
Images and videos circulating on social media depict the aftermath of the turbulence, with cutlery, in-flight meals, and various items scattered across the aisle, underlining the intensity of the event.
Korean Air has stated that none of the 14 injured individuals sustained serious injuries. The airline attributed the turbulence to adverse weather conditions, noting that Tianjin Airport was experiencing lightning and thunder at the time of the incident. As a precautionary measure, in-flight meal service was halted, and passengers were instructed to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened.
In response to the situation, Korean Air provided passengers with painkillers during the flight. Upon landing in Ulaanbaatar, a medical team was on standby to treat those affected. Despite the ordeal, all passengers were able to clear immigration without further complications.
This incident comes just days after Korean Air announced its decision to discontinue serving instant cup noodles on long-haul flights. In a statement released last Thursday, the airline cited this change as part of “proactive safety measures in response to increased turbulence, aimed at preventing burn accidents”.
