8 injured as Colombia-New York flight suffers severe turbulence, drops 25,000 feet

The Airbus A320 departed Medellin, Colombia, at 10:40 pm Thursday for New York's JFK Airport but diverted to Miami around three hours later following severe turbulence.The Avianca flight made an emergency landing at the Miami International Airport. (Photo: Reuters)New Delhi,Oct 9, 2026 18:57 ISTAt least eight people were hospitalised on Friday morning after severe turbulence struck an Avianca flight bound for New York, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Miami following a steep descent of 25,000 feet, the New York Post reported. At least one injured passenger was taken to a trauma centre, NYP said, quoting reports.The Airbus A320 had departed Medelln, Colombia, at 10:40 pm local time on Thursday, bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). However, the flight was diverted to Miami around three hours after departure following the turbulence.According to FlightRadar24 data, the aircraft had climbed to approximately 35,000 feet while flying over Jamaica and Cuba on its northbound journey.About two-and-a-half hours into the flight, it began a sharp descent, losing around 25,000 feet within minutes before landing in Miami at approximately 3:30 am, the report added. Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue officials confirmed that “Multiple patients” had sustained injuries after the aircraft landed. Emergency medical teams were positioned on the tarmac, with several ambulances waiting to assist passengers.One of the injured was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center, a WSVN report said. Authorities have not disclosed the full extent of the injuries sustained by those hospitalised. One of the passenger described the unusual scene upon arrival in Miami while speaking to the media."When we arrived, when we landed, we saw that very close to where we were going to disembark, there were more than five or six ambulances," she said."Seven of them with their lights on as if they were waiting for something. When we arrived, well, you know, it wasn’t normal".Video footage seen by some media channels appeared to show passengers with ice packs on their heads while being instructed to remain seated following the incident.The exact number of passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft at the time of the turbulence has not been disclosed. Details regarding the circumstances that led to the sudden descent and the severity of the injuries remain limited.Meanwhile, another Avianca flight was scheduled to depart Miami for JFK at 8:25 am on Friday. Further details on the affected passengers and the airline’s arrangements following the emergency landing were not immediately available, the report said.- Ends