"Fasten your seatbelts" is a routine announcement heard on every flight. But on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on Tuesday, those words took on a far more urgent meaning as the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, leaving 17 people, including four cabin crew members, injured.
Even the cabin crew, trained to remain calm during emergencies, found it difficult to hide the seriousness of the situation. One air hostess was heard screaming, while another repeatedly urged passengers over the public address system to fasten their seatbelts.
By that point, luggage had already fallen from the overhead compartments. Broken locker panels were scattered across the aisle, while some bags remained partially hanging, at risk of dropping with every fresh jolt.
Inside the cabin, frightened passengers held onto their heads, prayed and tried to reassure one another as panic spread.
Minchen, who recorded the viral video from inside the aircraft, described the experience as "the worst two hours" of her life.
"Please, please, please always wear your seatbelt on a plane, even when the seatbelt sign is off. I saw people being thrown into the air, hitting their heads, and getting injured. For a while, I genuinely thought we weren't going to make it. I hope everyone is okay," she said.
Another passenger recalled the horrifying moment when his father was thrown into the air and struck the ceiling after the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude. Calling the experience "a rebirth", he said his mother and two-year-old daughter also suffered injuries.
Seven passengers from flight AI2379 were later admitted to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj for medical examination and treatment. The hospital said they were brought to its Emergency Department after Air India alerted authorities following the turbulence incident. The flight landed safely in Delhi.
Recounting the incident, the passenger said his father was seated in the aisle seat and drinking coffee when the turbulence hit. He added that the seatbelt sign was not illuminated at the time.
"Suddenly, a big jolt happened, and he flew and hit the roof and fell on the floor," he said.
He said his mother, seated by the window, struck her head against the overhead compartment, resulting in swelling. A portion of the overhead panel also fell and hit her near her left eye, causing additional swelling. She received treatment from the Medanta medical team at the airport.
Describing what happened to his wife and younger daughter, he said, "My wife and my two-year-old daughter also flew in the air and dropped into the passage between the seats."
According to him, his daughter suffered a head injury and swelling and was also treated by the Medanta team at the airport.
Doctors reportedly described the injuries as minor, after which the family was discharged and travelled to Chandigarh by road.
Reflecting on the incident, the passenger said the aircraft was filled with screams and that his five-year-old daughter was terrified.
"I would say that it was a rebirth for all of us," he said, adding that the family placed their faith in Waheguru before the aircraft landed safely.
He also praised the flight crew, saying the pilot helped reassure passengers while the cabin crew remained supportive throughout the ordeal. He called for a detailed investigation into the incident to improve aviation safety.
For Viviana, an Italian passenger, what began as a normal journey turned into a frightening experience as she watched her sister being thrown into the air and her mother sustain a head injury.
"We thought we would die," she said, recalling the chaos and panic inside the aircraft.
Fortis Hospital said all seven admitted passengers were assessed immediately upon arrival and treatment began without delay. Following their initial stabilisation, the hospital activated a Code Yellow to coordinate medical care and allocate necessary resources.
The passengers underwent radiological examinations, including CT scans, MRIs and X-rays, wherever required, before being shifted to inpatient rooms for further observation and treatment.
"The medical teams are currently evaluating each patient. A clearer clinical picture, including the extent of injuries and the definitive line of treatment, will be available shortly upon completion of all investigations and specialist assessments," Fortis Hospital said.
