Passengers on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Tunis were left traumatised after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence while attempting to land during a violent storm. The plane was ultimately diverted to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, about 60 miles south of the Tunisian capital, where it landed safely.
Passengers describe terrifying descent
Footage from the journey, which has spread widely on social media, shows passengers crying out in terror as the plane appears to drop through the air. Those aboard recounted one of three harrowing descent attempts, with the aircraft juddering dramatically before pilots aborted the landing. On the third attempt, passengers reported the plane abruptly started falling, triggering widespread alarm.
Traveller Marina Maiskaya filmed the episode on her mobile device, documenting the moments when the aircraft was thrown about by turbulence while nearby passengers reacted in distress.
Passenger recounts ordeal
“The flight itself was smooth, but things turned absolutely terrifying as soon as we began our descent,” she said. “I have never in my life feared for my life like that - and my mum was with me, too.” She added: “We were shaken violently each time, and on the third attempt, we actually started to plummet.”
The incident left travellers believing they faced genuine peril, with one characterising the moment as resembling the aircraft beginning to hurtle earthward. Pilots deemed it too dangerous to continue towards Tunis and rerouted the flight to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport.
Crew praised after safe landing
The aircraft touched down without incident, and there have been no reports of injuries on board. In the aftermath, passengers praised the Turkish Airlines crew for their composure under pressure and for bringing the plane and everyone on board down safely. “We made it through safely - perhaps thanks to the Turkish Airlines pilots,” Ms Maiskaya said.
The Express contacted Turkish Airlines for comment.
