MINNEAPOLIS — A Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis after encountering severe turbulence that left 25 passengers hospitalized, according to airline officials.

The aircraft experienced intense clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic, prompting flight crew to initiate a diversion as a safety precaution. Passengers described the scene as chaotic, with unsecured individuals and items thrown violently around the cabin.

This incident highlights a growing trend in aviation safety concerns: a 55% increase in severe clear-air turbulence over the North Atlantic since 1979. Experts attribute this rise to climate change, which is believed to be strengthening the jet stream — making flights bumpier and more hazardous, even in clear skies.

The FAA and airline industry are under increasing pressure to update safety protocols and better predict turbulence, particularly on long-haul transatlantic flights.