JFK-Bound Flight Hit By Turbulence; 29 Injured: Officials

QUEENS, NY — Several passengers were injured after an airplane encountered turbulence before declaring an emergency and landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday, according to officials.

The FDNY said 29 passengers were treated for non-life threatening injuries at the airport after initially saying there were 32 injuries. A Port Authority spokesman said four people were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Passengers suffered from bumps, bruises, cuts and a flight attendant suffered a broken leg, The Associated Press reported.

Turkish Airlines Flight 1, a Boeing 777, landed safely at JFK at 5:35 p.m., the FAA said in a statement. The plane was hit by severe turbulence approximately 45 minutes prior to landing, according to Port Authority.

The flight, which originated in Istanbul, was carrying more than 300 passengers and crew members. Turkish Airlines officials were not immediately available for comment.

The incident happened the same day all runways at Newark Liberty International Airport were forced to close after an airplane had to make an emergency landing after reporting a fire in the cargo area. The airport has since reopened.

The National Weather Service had issued advisories on Saturday warning pilots of expected turbulence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.