Dean Purcell/Associated Press
Ambulances respond to an incident at Auckland International Airport on March 11, 2024.
CNN
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Dozens of people were injured after a “technical event” caused sudden movement on the flight from Australia to New Zealand, the flight's operator said, with witnesses telling local media that passengers were suddenly thrown onto the plane. He said that he was
About 50 people were treated for injuries upon arrival in Auckland, including one in critical condition, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, which provides emergency medical services, told CNN. It was announced that 12 patients were transported to the hospital.
In a statement released by LATAM Airlines to CNN, the affected passengers and flight attendants “received immediate assistance and were examined and treated by airport medical staff as necessary.”
“Flight LA800, operating on the Sydney-Auckland route today, experienced a technical incident during the flight which caused severe shaking,” the statement said, adding that the aircraft landed in Auckland as scheduled on Monday. .
The statement did not elaborate on what the technical incident was.
LATAM Airlines is Chile's flagship airline and regularly stops in Auckland on its way to Santiago.
St John Ambulance added that 14 vehicles, including seven ambulances, responded to the incoming aircraft accident at Auckland International Airport.
Speaking to CNN affiliate RNZ, Jacinto, a passenger on the flight, said there was a “midair drop.”
“People were flying on board,” he said. “People were seriously injured.”
He added that several passengers were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the plunge.
“People were really scared too.”
Another passenger, identified by RNZ as Valentina, said the plane had “just stopped” and “people were flying around”.
“There was blood on the ceiling, guys. [flew] And I broke the ceiling of the plane,” she said, adding that she was “very scared” to fly again.
Valentina suffered minor injuries and was treated by medical crew members once the plane landed.
