10 injured on Cathay Pacific flight from Australia to Hong Kong after severe turbulence caused drop in altitude

A Cathay Pacific flight CX156 en route from Brisbane, Australia, to Hong Kong, was reportedly hit with a severe turbulence on May 23, 2026.

10 people were injured, comprising six crew members and four passengers.

Among the injured, eight were taken to hospitals in Hong Kong for treatment and observation, South China Morning Post reported.

Sudden drop in altitude

The plane, an Airbus A350-900, experienced a sudden drop in altitude around two hours before the expected landing time.

Flight attendants in economy class had reportedly been preparing to serve passengers their meals when the drop occurred.

Though it lasted for about two seconds, one traveller told SCMP that it felt like "free-falling from a drop tower", with people screaming and items flying through the air.

Two Australians were among the injured, SCMP reported.

Checks by Mothership on aircraft tracking website flightradar24 showed that the flight later landed at Hong Kong International Airport before 7am local time.

Medical personnel boarded the aircraft to provide assistance to passengers and crew when the plane landed.