New Delhi: At least eight people required hospital treatment early Friday morning after severe turbulence struck an international commercial flight bound for New York, prompting an emergency landing in Miami after a sudden 25,000-foot descent. Reports indicate that at least one of the injured individuals was transported to a dedicated trauma facility following the incident.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320 operated by Avianca, initially departed from Medellin, Colombia, at 10:40 pm local time on Thursday, heading toward John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Flight tracking data indicates that the plane successfully reached an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet as it traversed airspace over Jamaica and Cuba.
Roughly two and a half hours into the journey, the aircraft experienced violent turbulence and initiated a sharp, rapid descent, plunging roughly 25,000 feet in a matter of minutes. The flight ultimately diverted to Miami International Airport, touching down safely at around 3:30 am.
Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue personnel confirmed that multiple individuals sustained injuries during the turbulent episode. Emergency medical responders and numerous ambulances met the plane on the tarmac upon arrival. One passenger was subsequently rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center, although local authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the precise nature or severity of all injuries.
Passengers on board described a chaotic scene upon landing, noting a heavy emergency response presence waiting near the gate with active lights and sirens. Video footage captured following the event showed some travelers holding ice packs to their heads while flight crew members directed everyone to remain seated.
The total count of passengers and crew members traveling on the aircraft has not been publicly specified by airline officials, and circumstances surrounding the rapid altitude loss remain under review. Meanwhile, the airline arranged a replacement flight out of Miami to transport passengers onward to New York later that morning.