An Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo was forced to make an emergency landing in Brazil after encountering severe turbulence that left passengers injured and one trapped in an overhead bin. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 325 people, was diverted to Natal Airport in northeast Brazil, where ambulances awaited the injured.
Video footage of in-flight turmoil
Videos circulating on social media show passengers aiding a fellow flyer who became lodged in an overhead bin during the turbulence. The circumstances leading to the man’s predicament remain unclear. Several accounts indicate that unbelted passengers were violently thrown from their seats, colliding with the ceiling due to the intense turbulence.
Airline’s response and passenger injuries
Air Europa confirmed the incident on social media, stating, “Our flight UX045 bound for Montevideo has been diverted to Natal airport (Brazil) due to strong turbulence. The plane has landed normally, and the minor injuries reported are already being treated.”
The plane’s interior sustained visible damage, including broken ceiling panels and exposed wires. The Rio Grande do Norte state health secretariat reported that forty passengers were transported to hospitals and clinics in Natal for “abrasions and minor traumas,” with eleven remaining hospitalized at Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel hospital by Monday afternoon.
Diverse nationalities among the injured
The injured passengers include nationals from Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Israel, Bolivia, and Germany. Initially, Air Europa reported that seven passengers had been treated for “various injuries,” while an unspecified number received medical care for bruises.
To manage the aftermath, Air Europa dispatched a replacement plane from Madrid to Natal to collect the passengers. Meanwhile, the damaged Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is undergoing examination for any further damage.