Passengers on a flight in Colombia experienced moments of terror when a severe thunderstorm caused severe turbulence and required an emergency diversion to Cartagena.
The dramatic incident, captured on video by passenger Zuleima Ebratt, shows the terrifying moments as she and another passenger prayed amidst the chaos. The flight crew’s urgent pleas over the intercom for passengers to fasten their seatbelts and remain seated only heightened the sense of urgency and panic. A call for medical assistance further underlined the severity of the situation.
Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, said in a statement: “Due to bad weather, turbulence occurred around Barranquilla airport, so the captain made the decision to divert to Cartagena airport.”
The plane landed safely at Rafael Nunez International Airport, where passengers were immediately cared for before the flight continued. Ebratt described the ordeal as “a moment of great panic,” with many fearing the worst.
According to Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather’s director of forecast operations, turbulence occurs when an aircraft encounters irregular air movement, which can have many causes.
“Turbulence can occur when flying in a variety of weather conditions. It can occur in stormy weather, but also in clear air, where it can be caused by wind fluctuations at different heights in the atmosphere.”
Given these sudden conditions, it is crucial for passengers to take proactive steps to ensure their safety. Experts recommend keeping your seatbelt fastened at all times, storing loose items securely, and staying hydrated to better cope with the stress of turbulence.
“There are cases of severe turbulence that can damage the aircraft or cause injury,” DePodwin said. “It’s pretty rare. That’s why we don’t hear about it often. There are tens of thousands of flights every day. Most have no problems at all, but in certain cases the atmosphere can cause turbulence when flying near or through storms.”
Although such severe cases are rare, the possibility of turbulent incidents is a reminder to remain vigilant when flying.
While turbulence can be a frightening experience, knowing what causes it and how to stay safe can help mitigate its effects. By following simple safety measures and staying informed about weather conditions, passengers can travel with greater peace of mind.
