An easyJet flight from Corfu to London was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome after being caught in turbulence.
Two of the crew were injured when they were thrown against the walls of the Airbus A320 while preparing to serve food to the 180 people onboard.
Their injuries were so severe that the captain decided to divert to Rome’s Fiumicino airport so they could receive immediate medical attention.
Confirming the diversion, an easyJet spokesperson told the Mail: “The flight on August 19 experienced turbulence which unfortunately injured two cabin crew members. As a result, the captain decided to divert the flight to Rome, where the flight attendants received medical assistance.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew are easyJet’s top priority, and our pilots are trained to manage turbulence.”
Italy’s air safety agency, ANSV, has launched an investigation into the incident to determine whether the turbulence was a sudden and unforeseeable event or if it was visible on the aircraft’s radar and underestimated by the pilots.
In a statement, the ANSV said: “Yesterday, August 19, the Airbus A320 aircraft registration marks G-EJCM, on a planned flight from Corfu to London Gatwick, on entering Italian airspace encountered turbulence, as a result of which two flight attendants were injured.
“The flight crew decided to head towards Rome Fiumicino, where the landing took place without further consequences.
“In view of the type and severity of the injuries suffered and in line with ICAO Annex 13 and Regulation (EU) No 996/2010, ANSV ordered the opening of a safety investigation classifying the event as an accident.”
An ANSV spokesperson said the agency would also look into why the pilots decided to land at Rome, rather than the closer airports of Brindisi or Bari. The incident occurred just 20 minutes into the flight from Corfu to Gatwick.