Japan: 47 injured as jumbo jet hits turbulence

At least 47 airline passengers were injured when their plane hit severe turbulence off the coast of Japan today.

The Tokyo-bound Northwest Airlines flight from Manila was circling about 30 minutes before landing when it dropped suddenly.

The Boeing 747-400, carrying 408 passengers and 14 crew, landed safely after the incident.

None of the 47 hurt suffered serious injuries but one was taken away on a wheelchair and another on a stretcher..

“I was so scared, I thought I would die,” said one passenger. “My whole body was lifted into the air.”