DULLES, Va. (AP) — A transportation incident occurred Monday afternoon at Washington Dulles International Airport, resulting in 18 individuals being sent to the hospital. The incident involved a mobile lounge, a vehicle designed to ferry passengers between the terminal and the aircraft.

The mobile lounge struck a dock at approximately 4:30 p.m. as it was maneuvering to pull up to the building. The dock serves as the designated stopping point where passengers disembark into the concourse. According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the impact occurred at an angle, leading to the injuries among passengers onboard.

The reported injuries sustained by the passengers were characterized as non-life-threatening. Emergency services, including the fire department, promptly transported those injured to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment. Despite the incident, the airport continues to operate normally, with the authority confirming that all services remain unaffected.

Washington Dulles International Airport utilizes a fleet of 19 mobile lounges, which have the capacity to carry up to 102 passengers at a time. Each mobile lounge measures approximately 54 feet (16.5 meters) in length and 16 feet (4.9 meters) in width. These vehicles are an integral part of the airport's infrastructure, facilitating efficient movement of passengers to and from their flights.

The airport's management, along with emergency response teams, responded swiftly to the situation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. Further evaluations will likely take place to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident and to implement any necessary safety measures to prevent future occurrences.

As this story develops, further updates may provide additional details regarding the extent of the injuries and any ongoing investigations by the relevant authorities.