At least 36 people, including a baby, were injured on Sunday after a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu was hit by severe turbulence. Eleven of the flyers were reported to be in serious condition.
According to BBC News, the incident occurred just before the plane, carrying 278 passengers and 10 crew members, landed in Honolulu. Twenty of the injured passengers were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from lacerations, bruising, and loss of consciousness to head injuries.
Sources said, the area experienced thunderstorms at the time of the incident. Flight HA35 landed at 7:50 am IST (20:50 GMT) on Sunday.
Sonn after the incident, Hawaiian Airlines released a statement that read: "Medical care was provided to several guests and crew members at the airport for minor injuries while some were swiftly transported to local hospitals for further care."
Around three of the crew members were also injured in the turbulence. A 14-month-old baby and a teenager were among the injured.
BBC News quoted Chief Operating Officer for Hawaiian Air Jon Snook as saying that he was "grateful" for the support provided by emergency services. "It looks like everybody's going to survive,” Snook said.
According to Snook, the weather conditions have been unstable recently and this had created several challenges for airlines. The Hawaiian Airline statement added it would conducting a "thorough check" of the plane — an Airbus A330 — before it is returned to service.