A Ryanair flight headed to Milan, Italy, was forced to make an emergency landing in southern Germany on June 4 after encountering severe turbulence caused by a thunderstorm, injuring nine passengers, police reported.
The flight, originating from Berlin, safely touched down in Memmingen, approximately 115 km (70 miles) west of Munich, after the pilot decided to divert due to the bad weather, according to a statement from Bavarian police.
Police reported that the injured included a woman with a head wound, her two-year-old child with bruises, and a 59-year-old woman who experienced back pain. All three received hospital treatment, while others were cared for at the site.
Turbulence is a challenging weather phenomenon that can frighten even the most frequent of flyers. And while modern commercial airliners are fully equipped to withstand all types of turbulence, it can still be an uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous experience.
So, what exactly is turbulence, what causes it, and what measures can be taken to reduce its effects? Click through this gallery to find out.