Fifteen people were injured after turbulence forced their aircraft to make an emergency landing in Bermuda last night.

Thirteen passengers and two crew of the American Airlines flight were hurt, some requiring hospital treatment, after rough weather hit the New York to Caracas service west of the Island.

Three ambulances met the aircraft as it touched down at 8.40 p.m., and ferried some of the injured to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Others were treated in the airport building.

The emergency comes just over two weeks after several Continental Airlines passengers were hurt following a similar incident on a flight from New Jersey to San Juan.

Last night, there were believed to be 150 people on board the Boeing 767-200 aircraft, which left New York at 5 p.m. for the four hours and 40 minute flight.

The plane encountered moderate turbulence 200 miles west of Bermuda and called in to request the emergency landing.

Airport emergency crews met the plane and staff took the injured off into the terminal building, where they were met by paramedics and Police.

Manager of Airport Operations Lester Nelson said he had spoken to the pilot, who informed him that the seatbelt sign was on at the time and passengers were seated.

The turbulence was expected, he said.

He said those who were hurt were being taken to hospital to be checked for signs of any serious injuries. None were seriously hurt, he said.

The remaining passengers were led off the aircraft into the International Departure lounge, while engineers made a full structural examination of the plane.

Mr. Nelson said the plane was expected to take off again around midnight and continue its journey to Caracas. The injured passengers and crew were also due to rejoin the aircraft.

He said the pilots were keen to conclude the flight, adding that in such circumstances the best option was to take all passengers to their initial destination, rather than keep them at a foreign airport.

Staff at the airport were commended for the smooth running of the operation, which he said was easier to deal with than the Continental Airlines incident on July 8.

In that landing, 150 passengers survived a more terrifying incident, when unexpected turbulence suddenly hit the plane after the pilot had turned the seatbelts-on light off.

Several were treated in hospital for injuries after trays and carts went crashing through the air.

The remainder of the passengers were taken off the aircraft, which was enroute from New Jersey to San Juan, and had to spend the night in a hotel before continuing on their journey.

And six days after that incident, an American Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to New York had to divert to Bermuda, following an engine problem.