The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has dismissed claims that a Qatar Airways flight encountered turbulence before its landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement, the authority labeled the reports as misleading and urged the public to disregard them.
“We want to clarify that these reports are false,” the statement reads.
The KAA also encouraged the public to verify any information before sharing it, emphasizing the potential for causing unnecessary panic and confusion among travelers and the general public.
“We urge the public to exercise caution and verify the accuracy of information before sharing it on social media platforms,” the statement further noted.
However, the KAA did not provide specific details about the particular plane.
On Monday, reports and images circulated on various social media platforms showing a plane, reportedly a Qatar Airways flight, with apparent internal damage.
According to these reports, the flight was en route from Doha to Kilimanjaro and encountered turbulence over Somalia due to adverse weather conditions.
It was also claimed that one passenger sustained injuries and was admitted to a hospital.
Qatar Airways has yet to issue any statement regarding the incident.
Airplane turbulence refers to a sudden, violent shift in airflow and can be caused by wind, jet streams, storms, or nearby objects like mountain ranges.
During turbulence, an aircraft may experience sudden drops or changes in altitude.
Turbulence can be classified as light, moderate, severe, or extreme, depending on the initiating factors and the stability of the air.
