Ten people on a Cathay Pacific flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong were injured after the flight experienced a sudden and severe bout of turbulence. Passengers and cabin crew were later treated by paramedics upon landing at Hong Kong International Airport, with eight being taken to hospital for further observation.
A frightening incident on flight CX156
The Cathay Pacific aircraft was around two hours shy of its expected time of arrival in Hong Kong when the incident occurred just as flight attendants were preparing to deliver the in-flight meal service in economy class.
Passengers reported a sudden dip in altitude lasting around two seconds as the plane hit a bout of turbulence. This threw unsecured items and food carts around the cabin, injuring six cabin crew and four passengers. Videos posted to social media show food and debris scattered around the interior of the plane in the wake of the incident.
Nicholas Stevenson, a passenger on the flight, told ABC News:
“I thought the plane was going down. There were phones flying, coffees smashed into the roof, food absolutely everywhere. People were screaming. There was a lot of people really freaking out.”
The flight later arrived at Hong Kong International Airport shortly before 7 a.m., with paramedics subsequently boarding the plane to assess the injured.
Cathay Pacific speaks out
The airline has confirmed that the flight’s sudden dip in altitude was caused by turbulence, and that ten people, including two Australians, had been injured. Of these, eight were taken to hospital in Hong Kong for further treatment and observation.
In a statement, the airline said:
“Six cabin crew and four passengers reported minor injuries, and eight of them were sent to the hospital for further medical care. Medical personnel boarded the aircraft to assess the condition of a small number of passengers and crew who reported feeling unwell.”
A spokesperson for the Australian Airport Authority later confirmed that it received a report regarding the flight at around 6 a.m, stating:
“Upon receiving the notification, the Airport Authority immediately requested fire and ambulance services to stand by. The aircraft landed safely at 6.35 a.m., and paramedics immediately boarded to assist the injured.”
Cathay Pacific added that it is cooperating fully with authorities and is providing support to affected passengers and crew.
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