Severe turbulence injures 23 passengers on South American flight

Two airline cabin crew members were left in neck braces after their flight hit severe turbulence on Saturday night.

The Avianca Airbus was travelling from Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires, Argentina when the severe turbulence hit the plane.

Photographs have emerged on social media of two cabin crew members in neck braces and another with a large gash on her forehead, their uniforms stained by blood.

Other photographs show blood-stained tissues scattered amongst the fallen rubbish in a flight attendant food preparation area.

However, it was not just airline staff injured by the turbulence, with other images showing damaged ceiling panels and passengers nursing their sore heads.

Ezeiza Airport, just outside of Buenos Aires, confirmed 23 people were injured and 10 of those were taken to hospital for further treatment.

The plane remained grounded for six hours before departing Buenos Aires for the return flight, according to The Aviation Herald.