Madrid, Spain – An Air Europa flight bound for Uruguay had to be diverted to Brazil after encountering severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to multiple passengers, the airline confirmed on Monday.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain with 325 passengers onboard, heading towards Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Sunday night. However, during the early morning hours on Monday, the aircraft experienced heavy turbulence.
Video footage shared on social media showed a passenger being thrown into an overhead luggage compartment during the incident and receiving assistance from fellow passengers. The airline, when approached about the video, declined to provide any comment.
As a result of the turbulence, seven people sustained various injuries, and an unspecified number of individuals suffered minor contusions, according to Air Europa officials. For safety reasons, the decision was made to divert the flight to Natal International Airport in Brazil.
The aircraft, Air Europa flight UX45, managed to land safely at the airport just after 2:30 a.m. local time. Passengers, some with minor injuries, were seen disembarking from the plane.
Local health authorities in Rio Grande do Norte State, where Natal is situated, reported that 30 passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of minor abrasions or orthopedic traumas.
Air Europa is currently attending to all passengers, including those injured, and assessing the extent of the damage to the cabin. A second plane is scheduled to depart from Madrid to pick up the passengers and continue the journey to Uruguay later on Monday.
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of safety precautions to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members.