(CNN)Twenty-one passengers were hospitalized after a Toronto-bound Air Canada flight from China was hit by turbulence and diverted, officials said Wednesday.
Flight AC088, which took off from Shanghai, made an unscheduled landing in Calgary at 5:23 p.m. ET.
None of the injuries — possibly to the neck and back — were life-threatening, said Stuart Brideaux, public education officer for the Calgary Zone EMS. Three children were transported.
“It’s fortunate we don’t have greater injuries,” Brideaux told reporters, adding he expected many to be released soon.
Air Canada said eight passengers suffered non-life threatening injuries and 13 were hospitalized for observation. An investigation was underway and teams were assisting passengers affected by the diverted flight, the airline said.
Passenger Gord Murray told CNN newsgathering partner CBC that “it could have been much worse.”
“It was a little scary, but all the crew were professional, handled themselves well. People had minor injuries (and were) a little bit shaken up,” he said.
CNN partner CTV said a half dozen passengers were taken out of the airport on stretchers.
The Boeing 777-300ER was believed to be carrying 332 passengers and 19 crew members.