Dozens of people are injured by the turbulence that forces Air Canada's flight to divert to Hawaii

Dozens of people were injured when an Air Canada flight bound for Australia encountered unexpected turbulence, forcing the plane to land in Hawaii on Thursday.

The Vancouver-Sydney flight experienced "sudden and unexpected turbulence", about two hours after Hawaii, when the plane was diverted to Honolulu, Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah said in a statement. a statement.

"Current information indicates that about 35 people appear to have suffered minor injuries," Mah said.

Emergency responders met the plane at the door. The spokesperson for the emergency department in Honolulu was not able to immediately provide details on the types of injuries involved.

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The pbadengers told reporters that the turbulence had propelled people in the air, some hitting the ceiling.

"We were affected by the turbulence and we all hit the roof, everything went down and everything … people flew," said pbadenger Jess Smith at CBC News.

"I watched a whole group of people reach the ceiling of the plane," said another pbadenger, Alex MacDonald. "Two of the air hostess were bringing food at that time and also found themselves on the roof, but all in all, people seem to be fine, do not seem to be a major injury. 39; & # 39;

Pbadenger Luke Wheeldon of the Australian group Hurricane Fall told Honolulu KTIV that nearly half of the pbadengers were not wearing seat belts. "There was no warning and then half of them, their heads hit the roof all at once," he said. "And I went," Oh, it's a bad day. "

The group itself posted on Facebook: "I want to inform you that everything is fine after the incident of our flight back.Pepper suffered nerve damage to the forearm / elbow, but was treated on the tarmac and was followed to the hospital.He congratulated, we are all extremely grateful to the staff of AirCanada for his professionalism and his quick response.

"It was an extremely scary revealing experience, but we are grateful to be all safe and sound, we will be home soon, #wearyourseatbelts."

The turbulence occurred at 36,000 feet (10,973 meters) about 966 kilometers southwest of Honolulu, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.

Gregor says the crew members have asked the medical staff to meet the plane at the door.

The Boeing 777-200 was carrying 269 pbadengers and 15 crew members, according to Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.

Air Canada was booking hotel rooms and meals in Honolulu, as well as options to pick up the flight, Mah said.