Latam is making the news because on one of its flights, which was going from Sydney to Chile, a ‘technical incident’ occurred that left 13 injured, two of them with injuries that require additional attention, but without life-threatening risk.
Shortly after the case became known, several videos and images about what happened inside the plane were revealed.
In context, as reported by the New Zealand Herald, flight LA 800, which was traveling from Sydney to Chile, lost altitude when it was 1 hour away from reaching its first stop at Auckland International Airport.
Latam spoke out with a brief statement in which it explained that it was all about a strong movement, which is being investigated.
“As a result of the incident, 10 passengers of the nationalities of Brazil (2), France (1), Australia (4), Chile (1) and New Zealand (2) as well as 3 cabin crew were referred to a medical center to confirm their health status, most of whom have been discharged. Only one passenger and one crew member have injuries that require additional attention, but without life-threatening injuries,” the company wrote.
Passengers told what happened on the flight.
Photo:Latam
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As seen in a video, the passengers were quite confused with what was happening and one of them was lying on the ground. Other travelers were even helping him.
In fact, over the plane’s loudspeaker they requested the assistance of a doctor to help with the emergency.
Technical incident leaves at least 50 injured on LATAM flight from Sydney to Chile.
Thirteen people were taken to a hospital in Auckland (NZ) and one of them is in serious condition. The airline has not given details of the failure. pic.twitter.com/pchT403pXY— La Tercera Video (@LaTerceraTV) March 11, 2024
On the other hand, after the sudden movement there was a break in the roof, because due to the sudden loss of altitude, the passengers were sent flying.
Priscilla Waller-Subritzky, one of the passengers, told the New Zealand Herald newspaper that “several passengers and crew were thrown to the roof of the plane.”
I thought I was dreaming. I opened my eyes and he was on the roof of the plane face up.
This was also confirmed by Brian Jokat, another traveler who described the scare to Radio New Zealand as if it were a horror story.
“I thought I was dreaming. I opened my eyes and he was on the roof of the plane face up, looking at me. It was like the Exorcist,” she said.
Even some specialized portals that track air traffic in real time showed that the plane began to descend at 3 in the afternoon and, according to DW, the plane landed at 15:58 GMT.
Latam spoke out and regretted what happened. In addition, he said that “after the cancellation of the flight, a new one (LA1130) was defined for March 12, 2024, scheduled to depart from Auckland at 8:00 p.m. local time to Santiago de Chile. LATAM is providing service of food and accommodation to passengers affected by the suspension of the flight”.
Furthermore, he confirmed
The Civil Aeronautics Directorate of Chile will investigate
According to a statement from the Civil Aeronautics Directorate of Chile, the incident will be investigated by the New Zealand Action Investigation Commission.
“Chile, in turn, will appoint an accredited representative in that country to participate in the investigation,” he wrote.
For now, the DGAC is contacting the airline to obtain the information.
GERALDINE BAJONERO VÁSQUEZ
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