Tuesday’s strong turbulence on a Delta aircraft from Milan to Atlanta resulted in the hospitalization of eleven passengers and staff, according to the US-based airline.
“Delta Care Team members are mobilizing to connect with customers on Delta Flight 175 that experienced severe turbulence before landing safely in Atlanta Tuesday,” a spokesman said.
“Our priority is taking care of our customers and crew who sustained injuries.”
It is unknown how many of the 151 passengers and 14 crew members were hurt in total, beyond the 11 who were carried to the hospital, or the severity of their wounds.
The US Gulf Coast is currently being battered by Major Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to make landfall in Florida early on Wednesday. Hurricane Franklin is also churning in the Atlantic. The hurricanes, however, were not to blame for the turbulence on Tuesday, according to either Delta or the US aviation watchdog.
The Federal Aviation Administration will look into the event, according to a spokesman who spoke to AFP. According to the FAA, the turbulence happened about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Atlanta airport.
According to scientists, the so-called “clear-air turbulence” that is difficult to forecast, occurs when there isn’t plainly poor weather, and usually occurs above 15,000 feet, is occurring more frequently as a result of climate change.
