At least 8 injured after turbulence forces emergency landing in Miami

Eight people went to hospitals Friday when an international flight diverted to Miami because of severe turbulence. Paramedics treated injured travelers immediately after landing.

The Avianca flight traveled from Medellin, Colombia toward New York City. The aircraft landed at Miami International Airport at 3:30 a.m. on Friday, according to an airport official.

An airline spokesperson said unexpected turbulence forced the diversion. The carrier stated the plane diverted under standard airline safety protocols.

The airline reported nine people were affected by the turbulence. That total included three crew members and six passengers.

Officials from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported eight people went to area hospitals. Paramedics transported one person to a trauma center and seven others by ambulance. The department did not describe patient injuries.

“Due to the number of patients, the call was upgraded to a Level One Mass Casualty Incident (MCI),” according to the MDFR.

“Avianca remains in contact with the affected passengers and crew members as it continues to respond to the situation,” an airline spokesperson said. “The safety of our customers and employees is, and will remain, the foundation of our operations.”

Mass casualty incident classifications allow emergency agencies to send extra ambulances and medical personnel to a scene. First responders triage patients to route the most severe injuries to trauma facilities.

Avianca provided support during the delay. Remaining travelers departed Miami for John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8:35 a.m. on Friday.