At least 21 hurt on Vietnam Air’s Paris-bound plane

HCMC – At least 21 passengers and attendants on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Hanoi to Paris that departed Tuesday night were injured when their plane was shaken by violent air turbulence. The injured people received first aid on board and medical checks at Charles De Gaulle airport after the plane landed safely at the airport near Paris at 7:15 a.m., local time. Six passengers and three crew members were hospitalized in the French city for treatment as soon as they were disembarked from Flight VN535. Vietnam Airlines said the injuries were not severe, and five of the nine were discharged on Wednesday. There were 222 passengers on the flight and the carrier said the remaining passengers and crew members were safe. The airline explained the passengers were hurt as they did not have their seatbelts fastened while the crew members were hit when they were on duty when the plane went through the turbulence. The airline said it was working with the airport authority and involved companies including the insurer over the support for the affected people. A ground service firm under Air France is checking the Vietnam Airlines aircraft to ensure safety for its return flight to Hanoi. Reuters said the Boeing 777 plane completed its route to Paris after landing at Charles De Gaulle with no technical difficulties. Vietnam Airlines advised affected passengers to dial its hotlines at +84 904123113 in Vietnam or +33 144553941 in the French capital city of Paris if they needed any assistance. Updates about the incident will be available on www.vietnamairlines.com.