Ryanair passengers injured on 'dangerous' flight after plane hits 'supercell'
Ryanair passengers were left shaken last night after a flight with 185 people on board was forced to make an emergency landing in Germany during a violent thunderstorm.
German Authorities said nine people, including a two-year-old child and a crew member, were injured on the plane which had departed Berlin and was en route to Milan.
Flight FR8 encountered extreme turbulence over southern Germany and was battered by a severe storm which experts believe was a "supercell" - a highly dangerous rotating thunderstorm. Supercells can span up to 50km across, with tornado-like winds inside.
Flightradar24 data shows the jet abruptly changed course mid-flight, veering south to Memmingen as the situation escalated. The dangerous conditions prompted the pilot to abandon the original flight path and divert to Memmingen Airport in Bavaria, where an emergency landing was made.
One terrified passenger described the scenes on board as "chaotic and dangerous". Among the nine injured was a toddler who sustained bruising, another woman who suffered a head injury and one person who was treated for back injuries. Three were taken to hospital and emergency services rushed to the aircraft once it landed.
The German weather service had issued warnings for severe storms across the region, with threats of hail and storm gusts. In the nearby city of Ulm, a tornado ripped the roofs off houses in multiple streets, Mirror UK reports.
The flight was grounded after landing and unable to continue due to weather-related restrictions. Irish airline Ryanair arranged buses to help passengers complete their journey to Milan.
German police and Ryanair are expected to release statements today.
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