Severe Turbulence Injures 25 on Delta Flight, Forces Emergency Landing in Minneapolis

A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after severe turbulence injured 25 passengers and crew. The Airbus A330-900, operating as Flight 56, landed safely at 7:45 PM CDT, where MSP Fire Department crews and paramedics provided immediate medical assistance. The 275 passengers and 13 crew members were met by emergency responders, with 25 individuals transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment.

Flightradar24 data indicates the plane experienced a sudden altitude fluctuation, climbing from 37,000 feet to 38,000 feet before dropping to 36,225 feet over Wyoming, stabilizing shortly after. Delta confirmed the turbulence occurred less than an hour into the nine-hour flight, prompting the diversion to prioritize safety. “Safety is our No. 1 value at Delta,” a spokesperson said, noting the Delta Care Team is supporting affected passengers. The exact nature of the injuries remains undisclosed, though unofficial reports suggest minor to moderate trauma, including whiplash and bruising.

The incident adds to growing concerns about turbulence, with experts linking increased occurrences to climate change-driven jet stream disruptions. A May 2024 Singapore Airlines flight, which killed one passenger—the first turbulence-related death on a major airline in decades—underscored the risks of unexpected clear-air turbulence. The National Transportation Safety Board may investigate, as such incidents often trigger federal reviews. Delta has not confirmed the flight’s resumption to Amsterdam or the aircraft’s status, but operations at MSP remained unaffected.

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This event follows a turbulent period for Delta, including a February 2025 crash of a Minneapolis-to-Toronto flight (Endeavor Air Flight 4819), where a CRJ-900 flipped upside down on landing, injuring 21. While unrelated, these incidents highlight aviation safety challenges amid unpredictable weather and operational pressures.

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