LIGHTNING STRIKE FORCES PLANE TO RETURN TO AIRPORT

VIENNA, JULY 31 /SRNA/ - A plane travelling from Stuttgart to Vienna was struck by lightning, after which it returned to Stuttgart for a technical inspection, the airline Eurowings said.

According to the statement, the Eurowings aircraft was already airborne when it was hit by lightning.

Flight safety was not compromised at any point, and the aircraft returned to its departure airport after 40 minutes.

A total of 106 passengers and crew members were on board. The passengers were transferred to other flights.

Technicians inspected the Airbus A320 aircraft, which could be back in service later today, DPA reports.