Multiple people injured after Air Europa flight experiences 'heavy' turbulence, diverted to Brazil
Multiple people injured after Air Europa flight experiences 'heavy' turbulence, diverted to Brazil
The flight was traveling from Spain to Uruguay when it was diverted to Brazil.
ByMeredith Deliso
July 1, 2024, 7:41 PM
Multiple people were injured after an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay experienced "heavy" turbulence and was diverted to Brazil, the airline said.
Flight UX045 experienced strong turbulence early Monday morning and safely landed at Natal International Airport in São Gonçalo do Amarante, the airline said.
Damage to the cabin is seen on an Air Europa following severe turbulence, July 1, 2024.@Natalia_gimeno
Damage to the cabin is seen on an Air Europa following severe turbulence, July 1, 2024.@Natalia_gimeno
Seven people suffered injuries of "varying degrees," and there was an "undetermined number of people with minor contusions," Air Europa said in a statement.
"Due to the nature of the turbulence and for safety reasons, it was decided to divert the flight to Natal International Airport in Brazil," the airline said.
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The flight had departed Madrid-Barajas and was en route to Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay, when the incident occurred, according to the airline. Natal was the closest airport to address the passengers' medical needs, the airline said.
Passenger videos showed damage to the cabin of the plane and injured passengers in neck braces lying on their backs in the aisle. In one video, a man could be seen dangling from an overhead compartment, though it is unclear how he ended up there.
A man is seen dangling from the overheard compartment of an Air Europa following severe turbulence, July 1, 2024. It is unclear how he ended up there.@Natalia_gimeno
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The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was carrying 325 passengers at the time.
The passengers were being moved to Recife and a plane was scheduled to depart Madrid Monday afternoon to pick them up and continue their trip to Montevideo, Air Europa said.