A Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan made an emergency landing on Wednesday, June 4, after encountering severe turbulence during a thunderstorm, injuring nine people, including a two-year-old child and a crew member. The aircraft, carrying 179 passengers and six crew members, was forced to divert to Memmingen Airport in Bavaria, Germany, approximately 70 miles west of Munich.
The flight FR8 departed Brandenburg Airport in Berlin bound for Malpensa Airport in Milan when it encountered what weather experts described as a “supercell” – a dangerous rotating thunderstorm system. These weather phenomena can span up to 30 miles across and contain tornado-like winds within their structure. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed an abrupt course change toward Memmingen during the flight as the pilot diverted from the original route.
Police in Memmingen confirmed the aircraft landed safely at 8:44 p.m. local time after the captain requested medical assistance ahead of arrival. The severe weather conditions prevented the plane from landing at Munich Airport, forcing the pilot to seek the alternative airfield further west. Emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene upon the aircraft’s arrival.
Among the injured, three individuals required hospital treatment for their injuries. A two-year-old child sustained bruising, while a woman suffered a head injury and another passenger complained of back pain. The remaining five injured persons were treated at the airport. The injuries ranged across passengers aged between two and 59 years old, with one crew member also among those hurt during the turbulence event.
Passengers aboard the flight described the experience as chaotic and dangerous, with several people out of their seats when the severe turbulence struck the aircraft. One passenger told German media that they had never been scared before but thought the plane was going to break apart during the incident. Another passenger reported that a mother and baby were in the restroom when the aircraft was violently shaken by the storm.
The regional flight authority prohibited the aircraft from continuing its journey. Ryanair organized bus transportation to complete the journey to Milan for affected passengers. The airline also arranged a replacement flight the following morning to accommodate travelers.
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the diversion occurred after the aircraft experienced air turbulence. The company apologized to passengers affected by the diversion and worked to get travelers to their final destination as quickly as possible through alternative arrangements.
The German Weather Service had issued severe storm warnings for the region, alerting to potential hail and dangerous storm gusts. The weather conditions across southern Germany were particularly severe that evening, with Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg experiencing extreme weather events. In nearby Ulm, a tornado caused significant damage, tearing roofs off houses across multiple streets and rendering several buildings uninhabitable.
Emergency services throughout the region responded to dozens of weather-related incidents as the storm system moved through southern Germany. Firefighters dealt with numerous calls for assistance as the severe weather impacted communities across the area. The storm system created hazardous flying conditions that affected multiple airports in the region.
Passengers reported being kept on the aircraft for several hours following the emergency landing, which left some travelers feeling agitated and upset about the extended delay. The aircraft carried a total of 185 people, including both passengers and crew members.