Plane diverted to Brazil after turbulence injures 30
A flight experiencing “strong turbulence” made an emergency landing in Brazil, with 30 reported injuries.
The Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was en route from Madrid to Montevideo when the incident occurred mid-air, according to the airline.
Flight UX045 was diverted to Natal airport in north-eastern Brazil, the Spanish company said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The airline added that injured passengers were “receiving attention.”
The plane, carrying 325 passengers, encountered turbulence over the Atlantic near the Brazilian coast, an Air Europa spokesperson stated.
The plane landed safely and was greeted by a fleet of ambulances.
Airport officials reported that some passengers required medical assistance and were taken to the nearest hospital.
A local medical team informed Brazilian media that they treated at least 30 passengers of various nationalities, with 10 being hospitalized.
The patients had hit their heads during the turbulence and suffered injuries including cranial fractures and cuts to the face, the team added.
The incident comes weeks after a Singapore Airlines flight was subjected to severe turbulence over Myanmar, leading to dozens of injuries and the death of a British man.
Severe turbulence is rare but recent studies have shown that climate change could be increasing the risk.
