Filed on May 4, 2016 | Last updated on May 4, 2016 at 02.53 pm

It says the plane landed safely but 31 passengers were injured, including nine who were taken to hospital for treatment.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, says several passengers were injured when one of its flights encountered sudden turbulence as it prepared to land in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

Etihad Airways said on Wednesday that flight EY474 from Abu Dhabi was hit by "severe and unexpected turbulence" about 45 minutes before landing at Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

It says the plane landed safely but 31 passengers were injured, including nine who were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a statement, the airline said:

As a result, flight EY475 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi on 4 May has been cancelled. Etihad Airways has sent a support team from its home base in Abu Dhabi, and is assisting passengers scheduled to travel on this flight, by rebooking them on alternate flights or providing hotel accommodation.

It says the turbulence was severe enough that it damaged cabin storage bins.

Passengers can contact Etihad Airways' global contact centre on +971 (0) 2 599 0000 or can visit their website for more information.

(With inputs from Agencies)