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According to the national media, at least 36 people have been injured, after a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu was hit by severe turbulence.

The incident on Flight HA35 happened on Sunday morning, shortly before the plane came to land at Honolulu’s Daniel K Inouye International Airport.

Twenty people were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from lacerations, bruising, and loss of consciousness to head injuries.

Thunderstorms were reported in the area at the time of the turbulence.

A statement from Hawaiian Airlines read: “Medical care was provided to several guests and crew members at the airport for minor injuries while some were swiftly transported to local hospitals for further care.”

Of the people taken to hospital, about 17 were passengers and three were crew members.

Jon Snook, the airline’s chief operating officer, said the airline hasn’t experienced an incident of this nature in recent history. The flight was full, carrying 278 passengers and 10 crew members, he said during a news conference.

Jon Snook said he was “grateful” for the support provided by emergency services and that “it looks like everybody’s going to survive”. He added there had been unstable weather conditions in Hawaii recently that created challenges for airlines.

On Monday, the US National Transportation Safety Board announced it is investigating the incident.

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