Passengers aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Tunisia endured severe turbulence as the aircraft descended, capturing the harrowing experience on video.
Travelers expressed panic as intense turbulence struck the aircraft during its approach to Tunisia, with one passenger stating the plane “started to plummet” after multiple failed landing attempts amid stormy conditions.
The flight, originating from Istanbul, was nearing Tunis-Carthage International Airport on Thursday when adverse weather transformed a previously uneventful journey into a distressing ordeal.
Passenger Marina Maiskaya posted a video on Instagram depicting travelers clutching their seats as the aircraft shuddered, accompanied by screams echoing through the cabin while the plane circled prior to its attempted landing.
‘FEARS OF TRAGEDY AS PASSENGERS ARE THROWN AGAINST CEILING DURING HORRIFIC FLIGHT’
Maiskaya captured video of the severe turbulence during the aircraft’s descent in stormy weather. (mmaiskaya via Storyful / Storyful)
“The flight itself was smooth, but things turned absolutely terrifying the moment we began descending,” she shared. “I have never in my life feared for my safety so deeply—and my mother was with me as well.”
The passenger noted that the pilot made three attempts to land at the airport while navigating through the storm.
An Airbus A330-300 aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines takes off at an airport. (Moe Zoyari/Sipa USA / Reuters Photos)
“We were violently shaken with each attempt, and on the third try, we actually started to plummet,” she wrote.
The aircraft ultimately diverted from Tunis-Carthage International Airport to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, located approximately 60 miles south of Tunis.
An Airbus A330-300 aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines taxis at an airport. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse / Reuters Photos)
Despite the terrifying descent, the flight concluded safely.
“We made it through safely—perhaps thanks to the skilled Turkish Airlines pilots,” Maiskaya wrote.