Air India Phuket-Delhi flight turbulence injures 12

12 people were injured after an Air India Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday, August 4, forcing some passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the cabin ceiling.

Flight A12379 was carrying 134 people when it was hit by a sudden drop about 90 minutes after leaving Phuket. The early-morning service was cruising at altitude when the turbulence struck, with reports of cracks to the aircraft's interior.

The aircraft landed safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at about 11am local time. Emergency services were waiting on the tarmac and injured passengers and crew were taken by ambulance for treatment.

Sudden drop during cruise

A passenger said the aircraft shook for around two to three minutes and tilted during the episode. Many people had been asleep when the turbulence began, the passenger said.

Video from the cabin showed frightened passengers as the aircraft shook, including one man with his arm in a sling. Other images showed people being transferred from the aircraft, with some wearing head bandages.

Air India described the episode as a "brief turbulence-related event" while the aircraft was at cruising altitude. The airline said a sudden change in altitude occurred before the crew regained control of the aircraft.

Passengers taken for treatment

Those affected were taken to the Medanta medical centre in Gurugram, southwest of New Delhi. One patient was believed to have suffered a spinal fracture.

Pictures courtesy of Daily Mail

However, airline bosses said that, "as of now", no serious injuries had been reported. Air India said the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remained its main priority and that it would provide the "necessary support" to those affected.

The carrier also said it would co-operate fully with authorities during the investigation.

Turbulence can occur without much warning, particularly while passengers are resting or moving around the cabin. The reported injuries in this case involved people who were not wearing seatbelts when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude.

Join the discussion?

5 August 2026