25 hospitalised after Delta flight makes emergency landing in Minneapolis

Twenty-five passengers were hospitalised on Wednesday after a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing due to severe turbulence, the airline said in a statement.

The incident occurred aboard Delta Flight DL56, which departed from Salt Lake City International Airport en route to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. While flying over the Midwest, the aircraft, an Airbus A330-900, ran into what Delta described as “significant turbulence”.

Due to the severity of the conditions, the flight was diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where it made an emergency landing. Upon arrival, emergency medical teams were on standby to assist passengers and crew.

“Flight 56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered significant turbulence while en route and was diverted to Minneapolis,” Delta said in a statement released late Wednesday. “After landing, medical personnel met the aircraft to evaluate the condition of everyone on board.”

Following assessments by emergency responders, 25 individuals were transported to local hospitals for additional “evaluation and care.” The airline did not specify whether the injured passengers included crew members or if any of the injuries were critical.

Delta has not provided further details about the cause of the turbulence or the specific altitude or location at which it occurred. Turbulence is often caused by unstable air currents, which can be influenced by jet streams, storms, or sudden shifts in wind speed and direction.

The airline said it is offering support to the affected passengers and working closely with medical professionals and airport authorities. Flight crews are also being debriefed, and the aircraft involved will undergo a routine inspection before returning to service.

“We apologise for this experience and are in direct contact with affected customers to provide necessary support,” Delta Airlines flight added.

Passengers not requiring hospitalisation were reportedly able to disembark normally and were provided with lodging or alternative travel arrangements by the airline.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified of the incident and may conduct a review, which is standard procedure in cases involving significant in-flight events.

This incident adds to growing concerns around in-flight turbulence, which experts say may be increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate-related changes in the atmosphere.

As of Thursday morning, Delta had not released the total number of passengers on board the flight. No timeline has been shared regarding when the remaining passengers will resume their journey to Amsterdam.

The airline said updates would be provided as the situation develops.

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