An Allegiant Air flight was diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Thursday after severe turbulence injured multiple people.
Allegiant Flight 7001 from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to Pittsburgh landed safely at the airport at 2:43 p.m., officials said.
Airline employees and passengers suffered injuries, airport officials said. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue officials said seven patients were transported with non-life threatening injuries.
"The injuries range from bruises, lacerations, facial fractures, to a head injury. Of the seven injured, none were life threatening," said Mike Jachles with BSO Fire Rescue.
Allegiant officials said the crew reported the flight experienced severe turbulence while flying about 240 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, at an altitude of 36,000 feet.
"It's always a good idea to keep your seatbelt on, listen to the pilot and the flight crew, even when you reach cruising altitude. Keep that seatbelt securely fastened, in case there is turbulence. It could minimize anything like this," Jachles said.
There were 137 passengers and 6 crew on board, airline officials said.
The flight eventually departed Fort Lauderdale at 8:33 p.m. Thursday with an estimated arrival time of 10:29 p.m. in Pittsburgh.
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The FAA is investigating the incident.
