Passengers aboard a Ryanair flight en route to the UK feared for their lives as they were violently thrown into the plane’s ceiling during turbulent conditions in mid-air.
The Ryanair flight FR 9887, originally set to depart from Alicante at 4:35 pm on July 10 with Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) as its destination, had to be rerouted to Nantes, France, due to the significant turbulence that resulted in multiple injuries, as confirmed by the airline.
Describing the harrowing experience, a passenger shared how the flight finally took off at 6:05 pm, only to encounter sudden turbulence that caused passengers and cabin crew to be tossed into the ceiling, leading to screams and tears throughout the cabin.
Witnesses recounted the intense moments, with one passenger stating, “The captain described it as severe turbulence, but the sudden drop was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Everyone was in a state of panic, with air hostesses and passengers thrown off their feet. It was a terrifying ordeal.”
During the turbulence, passengers struggled to hold on to each other to prevent hitting the ceiling, while belongings and drinks were flung around the cabin, leaving some passengers drenched in spilled beverages.
Upon landing in Nantes, emergency services attended to the injured, including one individual placed on a stretcher after hitting the ceiling. An air hostess with a knee injury and another passenger with a neck brace were among those requiring medical attention.
After being held in the departure lounge, the passengers were later accommodated on a replacement aircraft to continue their journey to LJLA. An aftermath scene revealed individuals covered in coffee stains and a passenger with a facial injury.
A Ryanair spokesperson addressed the incident, stating that flight FR9887 experienced turbulence mid-flight, necessitating the diversion to Nantes for a safe landing, where a few passengers received medical care. Subsequently, a replacement aircraft was arranged for the passengers to depart for Liverpool at 12:20 am local time.