Forty individuals were injured, some seriously, after an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay encountered severe turbulence and was diverted to Brazil, officials confirmed.
Flight UX045 experienced "heavy" turbulence early Monday morning but safely landed at Natal International Airport in São Gonçalo do Amarante, according to the airline. The plane requested an emergency landing around 2:32 a.m. local time, as reported by the airport.
Thirty passengers received medical attention at the airport, with 10 requiring further hospitalization for evaluation, the airport disclosed to ABC News Monday night.
Seven passengers remain hospitalized in serious but stable condition, Air Europa confirmed to Top News on Tuesday morning. During the turbulence, some passengers were thrown toward the cabin ceiling, the airline reported.
Videos from passengers depicted damage inside the cabin, with injured individuals wearing neck braces lying on the aisle floor. One video showed a man hanging from an overhead compartment, though the circumstances leading to this incident are unclear.
The flight had departed Madrid-Barajas and was bound for Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay, when the turbulence occurred, according to Air Europa. Natal was chosen as the nearest airport to provide medical assistance to the passengers, the airline stated.
"Due to the nature of the turbulence and for safety reasons, the decision was made to divert the flight to Natal International Airport in Brazil," Air Europa explained.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was carrying 325 passengers at the time. Passengers who were in good health were transported to Recife, where another aircraft arrived early Tuesday from Madrid to continue their journey to Montevideo, Air Europa added.
The aircraft involved in the incident is currently out of service and will undergo inspection, the airline confirmed. The cause of the turbulence is under investigation.
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