8 people hospitalized after second Boeing turbulence incident within 5 days

Eight passengers on board a commercial Boeing Dreamliner jet were hospitalized after landing in Ireland on Sunday after the plane encountered turbulence en route from Qatar, official statements said.

“Qatar Airways can confirm that flight QR017, a Boeing B787-9 from Doha to Dublin, has landed safely,” Qatar Airways posted on Twitter. “A small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries during the flight and are now receiving medical attention.”

The plane landed as scheduled at Dublin Airport just before 1pm, airport authorities confirmed. “After landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including airport police and our fire service, as six passengers and six crew members (12 in total) on board reported injuries after the aircraft encountered turbulence while flying over Turkey,” it said in a statement.

The airport management later announced in an update that eight passengers had been taken to hospital. The incident is said to have not affected the airport’s other flight operations that day.

“The case is now subject to an internal investigation. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority,” Qatar Airways added in its statement. (RELATED: One dead, dozens injured as Singapore Airways plane hits severe turbulence: REPORT)

The incident followed a similar turbulence event in which Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321 – a Boeing 777-300ER – encountered turbulence on May 21 while flying from London to Singapore and was diverted to Bangkok, Thailand. One passenger died and several were injured.

The deceased was Geoff Kitchen, a 73-year-old from Gloucestershire, England, who is believed to have died of a heart attack during the incident, the BBC reported.

SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed his condolences to Kitchen’s family and friends and apologized for the incident, according to a statement.

“We are offering them and their families and loved ones all possible help and support during this difficult time,” he added. “The well-being of our passengers and employees is our highest priority.”

SIA said 131 passengers and 12 crew members later travelled on an aid flight to Singapore, while 79 passengers and six crew members – including the injured and their families – remained in Bangkok. An investigation is ongoing and SIA is cooperating fully, SIA added.

According to SIA, 52 passengers were still in Bangkok on Monday, 34 of whom were still being treated.