A passenger from an Air Europa flight diverted to northeastern Brazil on Monday described a harrowing experience when severe turbulence struck, resulting in injuries to about 30 people.
“There are passengers with fractures and injuries to their arms, faces, and legs,” Stevan reported to local media in Natal, where flight UX045 from Madrid to Montevideo made an emergency landing shortly after 2:30 a.m. local time.
“It was terrifying. We thought we were going to die,” he added, not disclosing his full name.
Maximiliano, another passenger, recounted how the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with 325 passengers on board suddenly began to plunge. “Out of nowhere, the plane destabilized and started to dive. Those without seat belts flew up and hit the ceiling, getting hurt, while those with seat belts were less affected,” he explained.
Air Europa issued a statement on Monday stating that seven people suffered varying degrees of injuries, while an unspecified number had minor contusions. The health secretariat from the government of Rio Grande do Norte state confirmed that 30 passengers were taken to hospitals in Natal with minor abrasions or orthopedic traumas.
The airline noted that the aircraft was undergoing an inspection to assess the damage. A replacement flight departed from Natal early Tuesday to continue the journey to Montevideo.
Air Europa did not immediately respond to further inquiries about the incident, which follows a similar event less than two months ago when turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries.
Experts have linked increased turbulence to climate change, citing unstable weather patterns that can cause storms. These patterns are usually detectable by weather radar, allowing pilots to avoid potential turbulence zones.
