Avianca Flight Diverts to Miami After Severe Turbulence Injures Eight

Avianca Flight 42 diverted to Miami International Airport after severe turbulence injured eight people aboard a flight from Medellín, Colombia, to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, officials said. The aircraft landed safely in Miami early Friday morning.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the flight arrived at MIA around 3:30 a.m. and that eight injured people were taken to Miami hospitals, with one requiring transport to a trauma center.

Avianca officials told CBS News Miami that nine people were hurt, including three crew members and six passengers. The airline said its airport team was assisting remaining passengers with arrangements to continue their journey to New York City.

An aviation attorney explained that the international route falls under the Montreal Convention of 1999, which establishes airline responsibilities for international passenger injuries, deaths, or damage.

"This is an international flight; it was coming from Medellin to New York City, meaning it's governed by the Montreal convention," said Pablo Rojas, aviation attorney.

On Friday evening, Jackson Memorial Hospital confirmed that seven people receiving care there had been discharged. The status of the eighth injured person was not provided.

Passenger Maria Paula Jimenez described the emergency response she saw after the plane arrived at Miami International Airport.

"When we arrived, when we landed, we saw that very close to where we were going to disembark, there were more than five or six ambulances. Seven of them with their lights on as if they were waiting for something," said Maria Paula Jimenez, passenger.

Jimenez also said the scene appeared unusual when the aircraft reached the airport. The incident prompted emergency crews to respond as injured passengers were evaluated.