TWENTY-EIGHT PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN AN SA AIRWAYS (SAA) FLIGHT FROM JOHANNESBURG TO HONG KONG HIT "SEVERE TURBULENCE", THE AIRLINE SAID ON WEDNESDAY.

"SA286 landed safely in Hong Kong today, Wednesday, 16 July at approximately 6.30am SA time [12.30pm Hong Kong time]," spokesman Tlali Tlali said in a statement.

"A total number of 165 passengers was on board, of whom 25 passengers are known to have sustained injuries and 3 crew members. The incident occurred whilst flying over the Kuala Lumpur airspace."

He said SAA requested medical and trauma assistance for the passengers and crew as soon as the aircraft landed in Hong Kong.

SAA will provide an update as and when information becomes available, he said.

SOWETAN