A Ryanair pilot was forced to make an emergency landing when the plane encountered intense turbulence from a weather phenomenon known as a 'supercell', injuring several people including a child on a flight from Berlin to Milan.
Nine people, including a two-year-old baby and a crew member, were injured last night after a Ryanair flight was forced to make an emergency landing. The plane was caught in a severe thunderstorm, leaving passengers in shock. The pilot called for the flight to be abandoned and for the plane to land immediately at the nearest airport. One passenger described the situation as “chaotic and dangerous”.
The Ryanair plane was carrying 185 people when it encountered severe turbulence over southern Germany. It had taken off from Berlin and was en route to Milan when the pilot made an emergency landing at Memmingen Airport in Bavaria. A German government spokesman confirmed nine people were injured, including a crew member and a two-year-old child.
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The baby suffered bruises, one woman suffered a head wound and another passenger suffered back injuries. Three of the victims were taken to a hospital. Emergency services were quickly deployed to the scene at the airport.
The passengers were unable to continue their flight as the regional flight control grounded all further take-offs. Ryanair arranged buses to complete their journey. Ryanair flight FR8 took off from Berlin Brandenburg Airport and was bound for Milan Malpensa.
Experts explained that the plane had encountered a “supercell,” a very dangerous rotating thunderstorm. Supercells can be up to 30 miles in diameter, with tornado-like winds inside. Flightradar24 data analysis showed a sharp change in course toward Memmingen during the flight. The German weather service issued severe storm warnings with the threat of hail and strong gusts of wind.
In nearby Ulm, a tornado tore roofs off houses on several streets. Weather conditions in the German regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg were extremely harsh last night. Fire services responded to dozens of emergency calls. German police and Ryanair are expected to make official statements later this morning.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk