Eight passengers were taken to hospital after an Avianca flight bound for New York was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami due to severe turbulence.
Avianca Flight 042 had departed Medellín, Colombia, and was heading to John F. Kennedy International Airport on 9 October when it was diverted after encountering heavy turbulence overnight.
Emergency services from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated multiple injured individuals upon arrival, according to The Express.
Safe landing in Miami
Flight-tracking records show the Colombian flag carrier's plane touched down safely at Miami International Airport at approximately 3:30 am on Friday.
Passengers reported that several ambulances were waiting for them upon arrival at the airport. "Seven of them with their lights on as if they were waiting for something," passenger Maria Paula Jimenez told CBS News Miami in Spanish. "When we arrived, well, you know, it wasn't normal."
Injuries and cabin chaos
Eight injured passengers were rushed to hospital after the plane landed, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.
Footage captured by passengers on board shows the aircraft being rocked by sudden drops in altitude, with chaos erupting inside the cabin. Loose items, carry-on bags and passengers wearing seatbelts were "thrown" around the aircraft, according to W Fla.
The same website reported that hospital officials said the victims sustained moderate to severe head and shoulder injuries after being thrown from their seats.
