31 injured as Etihad flight hits 'severe turbulence'

Nine passengers were taken to hospital after the Etihad plane hit turbulence Credit: APTN

Thirty-one people have been injured, nine seriously, after an Etihad plane travelling from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta hit "severe and unexpected turbulence," the airliner has confirmed.

The Etihad Airways flight EY474, operated by Airbus, was 45-minutes away from arriving into Soekarno Hatta International Airport when it encountered the sudden turbulence on Tuesday.

Indonesia media reported that most of the passengers were pilgrims and were taken to hospital at Soekarno-Hatta.

Passengers said the turbulence lasted for 30 minutes and oxygen masks had been deployed.

A statement released by the airline said: "A total of 31 passengers and crew were injured. Twenty two have been released from the airport clinic after being treated by paramedics for minor injuries."

"Nine other passengers and a crew member were taken to a local hospital," they added.