At least 20 injured after China Eastern Airlines flight from Paris to Kunming hits turbulence: Report

A file photo of a China Eastern aircraft. China Eastern flight MU744 experienced severe turbulence just before landing in Kunming, causing injury to at least 20 people on board. PHOTO: REUTERS

KUNMING - At least 20 people were injured when a China Eastern Airlines flight heading from Paris to the south-western Chinese city of Kunming hit extreme turbulence on Sunday (June 18), China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

The incident happened just as Flight MU744, which had been travelling from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, was about to land at the Kunming Changshui International Airport, Xinhua reported, citing a post on the airline's Weibo account.

The flight, which had been scheduled to land at 7.40am, landed safely an hour later.

All of the injured were taken to hospital. At least four people suffered severe injuries.

Those injured also suffered bone fractures, scalp lacerations, soft tissue injuries and other light wounds caused by falling baggage, Xinhua reported.

The incident comes after another China Eastern Airlines flight bound for Shanghai last week was forced to turn back to Sydney because one of its engines sustained severe damage shortly after take-off.

Photos of the plane circulated on social media showed a gaping hole in the casing of one of its engines.

According to the airline, the damage was spotted by crew members on the flight after take-off and a decision was made to return to Sydney Airport. No one was injured in the incident.

The airline as well as Australian and Chinese aviation authorities are investigating the incident.

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