A320
Dispatch Dispatcher
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
I was in the middle of receiving a pass-down from another sector for the last hour of my shift when I received an ACARS message at XA40Z from the event flight. It stated that they had experienced 'moderate to borderline severe' turbulence FL220-210. Their message also said that two flight attendants were injured and that they had requested EMS [Emergency Medical Services] directly with [station] OPS. The flight was on descent on the ZZZZZ4 arrival and about to enter the sterile phase of flight; so I responded that I copied their message and asked them to call me when able after arrival. At this point; the pass-down was discontinued until after I had dealt with the immediate issues related to this event. I called [station] OPS to verify that they had EMS on the way to meet the aircraft upon arrival. I then called the [Manager On Duty] to notify them of the situation. Next; I entered a PIREP (Pilot Report) for the conditions that the crew reported -- over [the destination airport] since I didn't know exactly where the turbulence occurred but added DURD [during descent] for clarity. (While writing this report; I am realizing I may have mistakenly entered DURC [during climb] instead of the intended DURD.)Leading up to; and at the time of the turbulence event there were no PIREPS; TAPS (Turbulence Auto-PIREP System) reports; FPG's (Flight Planning Guidance) or SIGMET's indicating any similar type/intensity of turbulence near the flight's arrival route appearing on my ASD/WSI Fusion. In addition; within the aforementioned ACARS message from the crew; they stated that the aircraft did not submit any TAPS report in relation to their turbulence event. After following up with the crew via phone; they stated that ATC had advised them of moderate turbulence being reported ahead of them on the arrival below FL200.During the post-flight brief with the crew; they also stated that due to the aforementioned ride report given by ATC; they instructed the flight attendants to be seated. The turbulence event started approximately 4 minutes later when the flight was somewhere between ZZZZZ and ZZZZZ1 on the ZZZZZ4 arrival. The event itself was described by the crew as a sudden jolt of severe turbulence lasting approximately 3-5 seconds; resulting in a momentary loss of control. This initial jolt was then followed by moderate turbulence. Two of the flight attendants were injured as they were attempting to return to their seats when the initial jolt happened. One of them sustained a head injury after hitting it on the wall. The other sustained an ankle injury. The seatbelt sign was on and there were no reports of passenger injuries or other damage. No emergency was declared by the crew or myself; as arrival was imminent. The flight attendants were taken to the hospital upon the flight's arrival.
Air carrier Dispatcher reported being advised of a turbulence encounter in cruise with injuries to the flight attendants.