Ryanair Flight Hit by Severe Turbulence, Injuring Several Passengers

A Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan encountered severe turbulence due to bad weather, resulting in eight injuries, including a two-year-old with bruising and a woman with a head injury. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, prompting the plane to divert to Memmingen airport in southern Germany.

According to Bavarian police, three people were taken to a local hospital for treatment, while others received medical attention on site. The flight had 179 passengers and six crew members on board, with ages of those injured ranging from two to 59. As a precautionary measure, all passengers were checked for injuries.

Ryanair apologized to affected passengers, stating that the captain had requested medical assistance ahead of landing and the plane “landed normally” at Memmingen airport. The airline organized alternative transport to Milan that night and a replacement flight on Thursday morning. “We sincerely apologise to passengers affected by this diversion,” Ryanair said in a statement.

The severe turbulence was caused by thunderstorms over southern Germany, forcing the plane to divert to Memmingen airport, which landed “safely and without further incident” at 20:44 local time (19:44 BST). The Southern Bavaria Aviation Authority did not approve an onward flight on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, German police said the weather conditions made it impossible to land at Munich Airport, leading to the diversion to Memmingen. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of prioritizing passenger safety.

Ryanair has experienced several notable incidents in recent years. A recent incident involved a flight from Berlin to Milan that encountered severe turbulence due to bad weather, resulting in eight injuries. The plane diverted to Memmingen airport in southern Germany, where it landed safely. The injured passengers ranged in age from two to 59, and three were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

More Ryanair Incidents

• Wrong Destination: In another incident, a Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Tirana, Albania, was diverted to Athens, Greece, due to a severe thunderstorm. Passengers described the turbulence as “horrible” and said they felt traumatized by the experience. The plane eventually landed safely in Athens, but the passengers had to spend the night there before flying back to Edinburgh.
• Flight Mix-up: A couple also had a harrowing experience with Ryanair when they boarded a flight they thought was headed to Copenhagen, Denmark, only to find themselves landing near Paris, France. The couple had to spend over £930 on hotels and taxis while they sorted out the mistake.

Additional Notable Incidents

• Forced Landing: In 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978 was forced to land in Minsk, Belarus, after a false bomb threat was reported. The incident was widely condemned, and it led to changes in international aviation protocols.
• Passenger Death: In another incident, a 60-year-old woman died on a Ryanair flight from Spain to Dublin. The passenger was traveling with her family, and the incident was a tragic reminder of the risks associated with air travel.