DUBAI – Twenty passengers on board an Emirates flight suffered minor injuries when their aircraft lost altitude abruptly after hitting turbulence on Sunday, with an Indian newspaper putting the terrifying midair plunge at some 15,000 feet.

Emirates said in a statement the flight from Dubai to Kerala “encountered a short period of heavy turbulence while cruising at 35,000 feet”.

The Dubai-based airline said the aircraft experienced a 200-foot descent in altitude.

The Times of India reported the aircraft dropped from 20,000 feet to 5,000 feet before the pilot was able to regain control of the aircraft, citing an unnamed official.

“There were 350 passengers on board the flight, 20 of whom suffered minor injuries. The flight landed safely in Kochi and the captain requested medical support to meet the aircraft,” Emirates said.

“All affected passengers were treated and have now been released. Emirates places the highest importance on the safety of our passengers and staff.”

Emirates said the fasten seatbelt sign was put on prior to the turbulence.

The official cited by the Times said the sharp fall in altitude was caused when the aircraft flew through an air pocket, an upward or downward air current that is one of the main causes of in-flight turbulence.

In extreme cases, known as downbursts, an air pocket can cause an aircraft to lose altitude abruptly, which has been responsible for a number of air disasters in the past.

Source: business.maktoob.com