A passenger on board a flight from Pristina, Kosovo, to Basel, Switzerland took a video of in-flight turbulence so intense that it sent an air stewardess crashing into the roof of the plane.
According to Fox News, the turbulence on the Bulgaria-chartered ALK Airlines jet on Sunday evening resulted in chaos on board. Ten people were said to be injured.
The 35-second clip taken by passenger Mirjeta Basha shows a male and female passenger seated, while an air hostess is standing in the aisle, pushing a food cart. Sudden turbulence sends the air hostess flying to the roof of the plane, while the contents of the beverage cart rained down on passengers. The female passenger is seen folding her hands seemingly in prayer.
The video went viral on social media and was shared multiple times.
According to the UK tabloid The Sun, people were scalded by hot water and coffee. The aircraft experienced turbulence, half an hour after take-off.
The report quoted Basha, who said: “I thought we all had to die. My husband has scalded his neck.”
Another passenger suffered head injury, after hitting her head on the ceiling.
Press officer Vivienne Gaskell, of EuroAirport in Basel, said that the aircraft was “shaken relentlessly for ten tortuous minutes”.
People with minor injuries were taken to a hospital.
The video was shared online and people were “horrified”.
YouTube user Elvir #LM10 posted: “A friend of mine was on this flight. This happened on Sunday evening in a flight from Pristina (Kosovo) to Basel (Switzerland). Even the seats broke and the seat belts tore. Many people had to go to hospital and some of them got burns from the hot water that was poured out from the trolley.”
@Harrisonyt tweeted: “My absolute worst nightmare. Severe turbulence throws flight attendant and beverage cart into the plane ceiling. Hope everyone was okay!”
My absolute worst nightmare.
— H Λ R R I S O N (@harrisonyt) June 17, 2019
Severe turbulence throws flight attendant and beverage cart into the plane ceiling. Hope everyone was ok!! pic.twitter.com/ZC8NmXxBkZ