Dozen hurt in turbulence-hit Qatar Airways flight

LONDON — Twelve people were injured during turbulence on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Ireland that landed safely on Sunday, authorities in Dublin’s airport said.

In a statement, Dublin Airport said six passengers and six crew members were hurt when Qatar Airways Flight QR017 experienced turbulence over Turkey.

The flight landed as scheduled shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday, it added.

Qatar Airways said the injuries were “minor,” and that the incident was now subject to an internal investigation.

“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 … on board reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey,” the airport statement said, adding that eight of them were taken to the hospital.

“The Dublin Airport team continues to provide full assistance on the ground to passengers and airline staff,” it added.

One passenger, Paul Mocc, told Irish broadcaster RTE that he saw “people hitting the roof” and food and drink flying everywhere.

Another, Emma Rose Power, told RTE that after the turbulence, “some of the flight attendants I saw, they had scratches on their face, they had ice to their face. There was one girl that had a sling on her arm.”

The incident comes after a British man died and more than 100 people were injured when Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 endured extreme turbulence last Tuesday, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Thailand’s capital Bangkok, where several people are still being treated in the hospital.

Passengers and crew suffered skull, brain and spine injuries when they were thrown violently around the cabin during the terrifying high-altitude ordeal.

Singapore Airlines have since tightened their seatbelt rules.

Air safety experts say that passengers are often too casual about wearing seatbelts, leaving them at risk if the plane hits unexpected turbulence.

Scientists also warn that so-called clear air turbulence, which is invisible to radar, is getting worse because of climate change.

WITH ASSOCIATED PRESS