People travelling via LATAM flight were injured

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

A significant incident aboard a Chilean aircraft travelling from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, led to the injury of at least 50 individuals, as reported by officials. The disturbance, described as a “strong movement” during travel, prompted an immediate response upon the aircraft’s arrival in Auckland.

LATAM Airlines issued a statement acknowledging a “technical event during the travel flight” that precipitated this strong movement. However, the airline provided no further details on the specifics of the incident.

Upon landing, the travel flight was greeted by over ten emergency vehicles and a team of paramedics, ready to assist the affected passengers.

At the scene, around 50 individuals received medical attention for predominantly minor injuries, though ten passengers and three crew members required hospitalisation for further evaluation and treatment. Among these, one was considered to be in a serious condition.

Eyewitnesses from the flight LA800 indicated that the sudden altitude drop caught several passengers without their seatbelts fastened. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, managed to land as per its schedule in Auckland and was slated to continue its journey towards Santiago, Chile.

LATAM Airlines extended its apologies for any inconvenience or harm caused by the incident to its passengers, reiterating that safety remains a top priority according to its operational standards.

The phenomenon of severe turbulence, increasingly attributed to climate change, has become more common, although it remains uncertain whether turbulence played a role in this specific incident. Should the investigation reveal a mechanical fault, it would add to Boeing‘s series of challenges and negative publicity.

This incident with LATAM 800 underscores the crucial reminder for all passengers to adhere to safety protocols, including wearing seatbelts throughout the flight and heeding the seatbelt sign.

Sara Nelson, the Association of Flight Attendants’ president, highlighted to USA TODAY the risks posed by passengers not secured with seatbelts, explaining that such individuals could endanger others by becoming projectiles during unexpected flight movements.

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