A Eurowings Airbus A320-200 traveling from Rhodes, Greece, to Cologne, Germany, encountered severe turbulence while flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving several people injured.
The incident happened Saturday as the aircraft was passing over the Sarajevo area. According to reports, 157 passengers were on board when the plane suddenly shook after entering strong wake turbulence – a powerful stream of rotating air that can form behind larger aircraft.
Four passengers were injured, along with a flight attendant who was reportedly thrown upward during the sudden jolt. The crew had received clearance to continue climbing, but after the turbulence hit, the pilots stopped the climb and began descending to stabilize the aircraft.
Despite the dramatic incident, the plane continued safely to Cologne. Medical teams met the injured passengers and crew members immediately after landing, a company spokesperson told German media.
The aircraft remained on the ground longer than scheduled after arrival, while flight data and cockpit voice recordings were secured for review. It later continued to its next destination with a delay of about three and a half hours.
Aviation experts describe wake turbulence as invisible but potentially powerful air movement created by an aircraft’s wings. In rare cases, it can cause violent shaking if another plane passes through the disturbed air.
