Chaos erupted on board a Korean Air flight to Taiwan after a sudden failure of the plane’s cabin pressurization system left passengers with nosebleeds and earaches.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday that Korean Air Flight KE189 descended from more than 30,000 feet to about 9,000 feet, causing severe discomfort and health problems for some passengers.
The steep drop in altitude reportedly caused nosebleeds in at least two flyers, and 15 others complained of earaches and hyperventilation. Although no serious injuries were reported, 13 people were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
A Taiwanese passenger recounted the harrowing experience on social media, describing how the plane plummeted shortly after the meal and the cabin was rocked by turbulence. He compared the experience to the intense G-forces of a roller coaster.
According to Dimsum Daily, the passenger reported severe earaches, headaches and dizziness while the children on board were scared and crying.
The pilot decided to turn the plane around and made an emergency landing at Incheon International Airport.
Korean Air apologized for the incident and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the failure, and assured passengers that all necessary maintenance measures will be taken.
The rescheduled flight departed at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, about 19 hours later than originally scheduled.