An Air Europa Boeing was forced to make an emergency landing in Natal, Brazil, on Monday after “strong turbulence“which left at least seven people injured,” the Spanish airline announced.
The plane, a 787-9 Dreamliner carrying 325 passengers, left Madrid on Sunday for Montevideo.
More “due to the magnitude of turbulence, for greater safety“, the plane had to be diverted to Natal, in the northeast of Brazil, where it “landed normally” on Monday, Air Europa explained in a statement.
The landing took place at 02:42 local time (05:42 GMT), Zurich Airport Brasil, the company that manages Natal’s international airport, said in a statement sent to AFP.
The airline reported that “seven people injured of various kinds, as well as a still undetermined number (of passengers) who suffered light bruises“.
The Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that “Passengers who needed medical attention were transferred to Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in Natal“.
According to preliminary information from Uruguayan diplomatic services, to which AFP had access, at least 27 people who were on board the plane received treatment in hospital.
They suffered multiple trauma, explained a Uruguayan diplomatic source, who was unable to specify whether there were any serious injuries.
Another diplomatic source from the same country said that “a priori, the life of none of them is in danger“, and some have already left the hospital.
Brazilian authorities did not immediately respond to AFP’s requests for information.
Life-saving belt
Air Europa said the plane would remain in Natal for a “review to determine the extent of the damage“.
Another device must be sent”in the next few hours” to allow passengers to continue their journey to Montevideo.
One of the passengers, Mariela Jodal, posted a photo on the social network X showing that elements of the cabin ceiling had come loose. Large yellow tubes from the internal part of the aircraft were visible.
She said she was not injured.thanks to the belt” of security.
In May, a 73-year-old British man died and several other passengers and crew were seriously injured in severe turbulence during a Singapore Airlines flight on a Boeing 777.
Climate change is causing more turbulence in flights, scientists say.
According to a study carried out in 2023, the annual duration of turbulence increased by 17% between 1979 and 2020 and severe turbulence, which is rarer, by more than 50%.
boeing plane emergency landing turbulence
