A United flight from Brazil to Houston got hit by turbulence so bad that 5 people were taken to the hospital

• United Airlines said five people were taken to the hospital after "severe turbulence" on a flight.
• It told Insider two passengers and three crew were brought to the hospital with minor injuries.

Five people were take to the hospital after extreme turbulence on a flight from Brazil to Houston, officials said.

United Airlines told Insider in a statement that two passengers and three crew members had minor injuries and went to the hospital after the Monday flight landed.

"United flight 128 encountered unexpected turbulence while enroute to Houston," a statement from the airline said.

"Upon arrival, two passengers and three crewmembers were met by medical personnel and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries."

Flight 128 was travelling from Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, CNN reported. It landed at 5.21 a.m., according to flight tracking website FlightRadar 24.

United Airlines added that "We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers."

Turbulence severe enough to hurt people is rare, but does happen.

Multiple people were also injured on a Hawaiian Airlines flight 35 on Sunday from Phoenix, Arizona to Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said at least 36 people were injured, with 11 of those having serious injuries.

Hawaiian Airlines confirmed to Insider that the plane experienced turbulence shortly before it landed in Hawaii, and said 13 passengers and three crew members were brought to the hospital and more people were treated for minor injuries in the airport.