A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin encountered severe turbulence today, resulting in injuries to twelve individuals, including six crew members. This incident occurred just five days after a passenger was killed and dozens were injured on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore due to turbulence.
Dublin Airport confirmed the incident in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating that the turbulence struck while the aircraft was flying over Turkey. The flight, QR017, landed safely at Dublin Airport shortly before 13:00 on Sunday. Upon arrival, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and the Fire and Rescue Department, to assist the injured.
In a statement, Dublin Airport reported: “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 six passengers and six crew members reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey.”
All twelve injured individuals received immediate medical attention upon landing. The exact nature and severity of their injuries have not been disclosed.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks of turbulence in air travel, underscoring the importance of safety protocols and the readiness of emergency services to respond to such events. Further details regarding the incident and the condition of the injured are awaited.
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, 2024
Qatar Airways has announced that the incident is now under an “internal investigation.” In a statement, the airline emphasized, “The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority.”
Qatar Airways can confirm that flight QR017 a Boeing B787-9 from Doha to Dublin has landed safely. A small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries in flight and are now receiving medical attention. The matter is now subject to an internal investigation. The safety…
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 26, 2024
Recent Turbulence Incidents Highlight Airline Safety Concerns
The Singapore Airlines flight, carrying 211 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok due to severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man and leaving 20 others in intensive care. Passengers and crew suffered serious injuries, including skull, brain, and spine trauma, as they were violently tossed around the cabin.
Videos and photos from inside the plane depicted a chaotic scene with food and luggage strewn everywhere and oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling. Singapore’s transport minister stated that investigators are analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. Flight tracking data revealed that the Boeing 777-300ER plummeted 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) within a few minutes, with many passengers unable to fasten their seatbelts in time due to the suddenness of the event.
In response to the incident, Singapore Airlines has tightened seatbelt regulations and adopted a “more cautious approach” to handling turbulence.
Turbulence-related airline accidents are the most common type, according to a 2021 study by the US National Transportation Safety Board. Experts note that passengers often neglect to wear seatbelts, increasing their risk during unexpected turbulence. The US agency found that turbulence accounted for more than a third of reported airline accidents from 2009 through 2018, with most resulting in serious injuries but no aircraft damage.
