'Terrifying' footage shows most 'violent' turbulence ever
Turbulence during flights is usually a minor inconvenience. A little bump here and there, and then everything settles down.
However, passengers aboard an ALK Airlines flight experienced more than a slight ruffle.
A sudden bout of turbulence sent a flight attendant and her drink cart into the ceiling during a flight from Pristina, Kosovo, to Basel, Switzerland.
Frightened passengers be heard screaming as the drinks from the flight attendant's cart spill over them.
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A woman can be also seen praying moments after the water was poured from the cart.
The 30-second clip showed hot drinks being thrown over the passengers whilst their screams can clearly be heard.
Passenger Mirjeta Basha recorded the shaky footage from her smartphone which was posted and later shared by ABC News on YouTube. Basha commented that the turbulence began around 30 minutes after takeoff and lasted for at least five minutes.
Some passengers said they were burned by the hot water that was thrown from the cart.
Basha said: 'People started screaming and crying. A flight attendant slammed her trolley on the ceiling. Cups flew around, some were scalded by hot water.'
Her husband was rushed to Basel Hospital with burns after the plane landed at Basel Europort, along with nine other passengers who suffered minor injuries.
According to ALK Airlines representative, Lora Koleva, air traffic control was 'immediately' informed and the plane landed 'normally without consequences for aircraft and crew' where it was met with ambulances to hospitalise injured passengers.
Luckily, the flight attendant also walked away unharmed and in 'absolutely good health' according to ALK Airlines.
Usually, the seatbelt sign immediately comes on when turbulence is due, giving everyone time to return to their seats and buckle up.
Since planes are designed to withstand strong wind pressures, people onboard are usually unfazed by the event. However, this case was abrupt and more severe than a little shake, causing quite a stir.
A spokesperson for EuroAirport spokesperson said: 'The flight from Pristina with airline ALK experienced turbulence in the air around 20 minutes before landing. The pilot alerted handling agents so that the airport firemen were immediately on the scene when the plane arrived.'
ALK mentioned that it was aware of the phone footage and that, at the time, the flight attendant was trying to 'collect all drinks and full glasses from passengers' before the 'downward impulse occurred.'