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Passengers thrown about Hong Kong-bound plane by turbulence

Two people remained in hospital last night after air turbulence tossed passengers and crew around a Hong Kong-bound jet yesterday, injuring 20.

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South African Airways flight 286 stands on the tarmac as emergency crews unload the injured passengers. Photo: SCMP

Two people remained in hospital last night after air turbulence tossed passengers and crew around a Hong Kong-bound jet yesterday, injuring 20.

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Witnesses told of passengers being thrown out of their seats and hitting the ceiling and overhead lockers of the South African Airways Airbus after it encountered what the airline termed "severe turbulence" over Malaysia.

David Mkumbuje, who was travelling alone on a business trip to Guangzhou, said the rough patch lasted several minutes.

Passengers from flight SA286 arrive at Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan after sustaining injuries in turbulence. Photo: Lo Wei
Passengers from flight SA286 arrive at Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan after sustaining injuries in turbulence. Photo: Lo Wei

"It was like the end of the world," he said, adding that he had bumped and scratched his head.

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Flight SA286 was on its way from Johannesburg in South Africa with 165 passengers on board when it struck the turbulence at about 8.30am.

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