A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Minneapolis after experiencing extreme turbulence mid-flight, leaving several passengers injured.
The Boeing 767, operating as Delta Flight 175 from Milan, Italy, encountered sudden severe turbulence over the Atlantic, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Multiple Injuries Reported
Emergency medical services met the aircraft upon landing, transporting at least one passenger to hospital with serious injuries. Several others received medical treatment at the scene for less severe injuries.
"The safety and care of our customers is always Delta's top priority," an airline spokesperson stated. "We're grateful to our flight crew for their professionalism in managing this challenging situation."
Turbulence Strikes Without Warning
Passengers described terrifying moments when the turbulence hit without warning. "One second we were cruising smoothly, the next people and objects were flying through the cabin," recounted one traveler. "The crew did an amazing job keeping everyone as safe as possible."
Aviation experts note that clear-air turbulence, which occurs without visual warning like storms, is becoming more frequent due to climate change. This type of turbulence is particularly dangerous as it's difficult to detect with current technology.
Flight Operations Resume
After medical personnel attended to all affected passengers and the aircraft was inspected, the flight continued to Atlanta with a replacement crew. Delta has initiated its standard operational review of the incident.
The airline is providing accommodation and rebooking options for affected passengers while coordinating with aviation authorities in their investigation of the event.
