This is the terrifying moment passengers screamed in panic as a tropical storm battered their plane mid-flight.
Footage shows travellers on a flight from Medellin to Barranquilla, both in Colombia, gripping onto seats and whispering prayers during their journey September 16.
A flight attendant is heard trying to calm down passengers over the intercom as the aircraft is shaken by strong winds. The scary scenes were shot on an Avianca Airlines 8586 flight.
Passenger Zule Ebratt said: ‘I have never experienced such bad weather on a flight. How crazy.’
According to reports, the flight was rocked by a strong gale that battered multiple regions in the north of the country.
Footage shows travellers on a flight from Medellin to Barranquilla, both in Colombia, gripping onto seats and whispering prayers during their journey September 16
A flight attendant is heard trying to calm down passengers over the intercom as the aircraft is shaken by strong winds. The scary scenes were shot on an Avianca Airlines 8586 flight
Unable to land, the pilot decided to divert the flight to the nearby coastal resort of Cartagena.
In the end, the flight was able to continue to Barranquilla several hours later than expected.
Another video shows passengers applauding the pilot and cabin crew after the plane safely touches down on the runway.
The panic was caused by a tropical storm that brought winds of up to 45mph, according to meteorologist Alexander Martinez.
The storm affected numerous areas in the departments of Atlántico, Magdalena and Bolívar, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The strong gale uprooted trees, damaged roofs and knocked out the power in several municipalities.
The local authorities and relief agencies are in the process of assessing the damage and restoring essential services.
Emergency crews are working to clear roads blocked by fallen trees and restore electricity to homes.
Avianca Airlines has been approached for comment.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
