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Severe Turbulence on Air India Flight from Phuket to Delhi Injures Passengers

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to 17 passengers, including children. The chaotic scene inside the aircraft led to panic as luggage fell and passengers were thrown from their seats. Medical teams responded promptly upon landing, treating those injured. Eyewitness accounts describe the terrifying experience, with passengers urging others to always wear seatbelts. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety and calls for a thorough investigation. Read on for detailed accounts from those on board and the hospital's response.
By Narendra Chaudhary | Aug 5, 2026, 12:25 IST
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Turbulence Causes Chaos on Flight AI2379

An Air India flight (AI2379) traveling from Phuket to Delhi experienced severe turbulence, leading to panic among passengers. The intense shaking caused overhead cabin panels to break, locker doors to fly open, and luggage to scatter throughout the seating area. A total of 17 individuals, including four cabin crew members, sustained injuries during this frightening incident. After the aircraft landed safely in Delhi, seven passengers were taken to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj for medical treatment.


Cabin Crew Struggles to Maintain Calm

Even the cabin crew, trained to handle emergencies, found it challenging to manage the situation's severity. One flight attendant was heard shouting loudly, while another repeatedly urged passengers over the public address system to fasten their seatbelts.


Passengers Describe the Harrowing Experience

As chaos erupted in the cabin, passengers were seen holding their heads, praying, and comforting one another. Minchen, who recorded a video of the incident that has since gone viral, described it as the "worst two hours" of his life. He urged others to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times, even when the sign is off, recounting how he witnessed people being thrown into the air and suffering injuries.


Another passenger recounted a terrifying moment when his father was thrown 300 feet down and hit the aircraft's ceiling. He referred to the experience as a "rebirth" and mentioned that his mother and two-year-old daughter were also injured.


Medical Response and Passenger Care

Seven passengers were admitted to Fortis Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment following the turbulence incident. The hospital confirmed that they were alerted by Air India and promptly brought the passengers to the emergency department.


One passenger shared that his father was seated in the aisle and drinking coffee when the turbulence struck. He noted that the seatbelt sign was not illuminated at that moment, and suddenly, a violent jolt caused his father to hit the ceiling and fall to the floor.


Family's Experience and Aftermath

He described how his mother, seated by the window, was injured when her head struck the overhead compartment, resulting in swelling. Additionally, a part of the overhead bin fell and hit near his left eye, causing further swelling. Medical staff from Medanta treated them at the airport.


He also mentioned that his wife and young daughter were thrown into the aisle during the turbulence, with his daughter sustaining a head injury. Fortunately, doctors assessed their injuries as minor, and the family was discharged to return to Chandigarh.


Call for Investigation and Safety Improvements

The passenger praised the crew for their efforts in calming those on board and expressed the need for a thorough investigation into the incident to enhance aviation safety. He emphasized that such occurrences should be thoroughly examined to prevent future incidents.


Viviana from Italy described how the turbulence turned a routine flight into a terrifying ordeal as she witnessed her sister being thrown and her mother getting injured. Reflecting on the chaos and injuries, she stated, "We thought we were going to die."


Hospital's Response to the Incident

Fortis Hospital reported that the seven injured passengers received immediate medical attention upon arrival. After stabilizing their conditions, a 'Code Yellow' was activated to ensure better medical response and resource deployment.


The hospital indicated that patients were sent for necessary radiological examinations, including CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, and were moved to inpatient rooms for further monitoring and treatment. They assured that medical teams are currently assessing each patient, and detailed information regarding the severity of injuries and treatment plans will be provided soon.


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