HONG KONG — Passengers and crew aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX156 experienced a harrowing ordeal early Saturday morning when the aircraft was struck by sudden, severe turbulence while en route from Brisbane, Australia, to Hong Kong.

The incident, which occurred on May 23, 2026, took place approximately two hours before the flight's scheduled landing. As the Airbus A350-900 was in the final stages of its journey, it experienced an abrupt, violent drop in altitude that lasted for roughly two seconds.

One passenger described the terrifying sensation as "free-falling from a drop tower," noting that the sudden movement caused immediate panic as items, including food containers and cabin supplies, were sent flying through the air. Cabin crew members in the economy section were reportedly in the middle of meal service when the turbulence hit, leaving them particularly vulnerable as they moved through the aisles.

In total, 10 people sustained minor injuries during the incident, including six cabin crew members and four passengers. Among the injured were two Australian nationals.

Following the flight's safe arrival at Hong Kong International Airport at 6:45 a.m. local time, emergency response teams, including medical personnel and firefighters, were waiting on the tarmac to assist. Eight of the injured individuals were subsequently transported to North Lantau Hospital in Tung Chung for further treatment and observation, while the remaining two received medical attention at the airport.

Cathay Pacific confirmed the sequence of events in a statement, emphasizing that the welfare of their passengers and crew remains their priority. The airline has stated it will continue to monitor the condition of those hospitalized and provide necessary assistance.

While the incident has prompted renewed discussions regarding in-flight safety and the risks of turbulence during meal service, Cathay Pacific reported no structural damage to the aircraft and has not announced any ongoing operational disruptions.