Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday visited Fortis Hospital in Delhi and met passengers injured after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a turbulence-related incident during its journey.
Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft (VT-EXO), was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it experienced a momentary altitude variation during the flight. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew.
Immediately after landing, medical teams attended to all passengers and crew members as a precautionary measure. Eight passengers and four cabin crew members were subsequently admitted to hospitals for detailed medical evaluation and treatment.
Read More: Air India Phuket-Delhi flight suffers sudden 300-foot altitude loss, several passengers injured
According to the ministry, all the admitted passengers and crew members are stable and are receiving medical care. The remaining passengers were provided assistance and support following the incident.
The Phuket-Delhi flight had suffered a sudden loss of around 300 feet in altitude during the turbulence-related event, with several passengers and crew members sustaining injuries. Initial reports had indicated that 10 passengers and two cabin crew members were injured.
Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj had earlier said seven passengers were brought to its emergency department following the incident. The patients were assessed and treated, with radiological investigations including CT scans, MRI scans or X-rays conducted as clinically indicated.
The aviation minister visited the hospital accompanied by the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers and assure them of all necessary assistance.
Senior officials from the ministry have also visited Fortis and Medanta hospitals and are coordinating with hospital authorities and Air India to ensure medical care and support for those injured.
The aircraft has been moved to a hangar for inspection. The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder have been secured for detailed examination, the ministry said.
The DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation into the occurrence. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the aviation regulator are monitoring the situation.
Air India had earlier confirmed that the flight experienced a brief turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude, but said the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked safely. The airline said it was providing necessary assistance and cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
