The incident occurred while the aircraft was cruising over the Atlantic Ocean.
On July 1st, an Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with registration EC-MTI flying from Madrid, Spain to Montevideo, Uruguay encountered severe turbulence, injuring at least 30 people on board.
The turbulence was so strong that it resulted in injuries to passengers, with one person even getting thrown into an overhead luggage compartment.
Following the incident, the flight crew diverted the aircraft to Natal, Brazil, where it made an emergency landing at Aluizio Alves International Airport. Medical personnel were waiting upon arrival and immediately tended to the injured passengers.
Images and videos circulating online show the aftermath of the turbulence, including a damaged ceiling and a broken seat backrest.
According to reports, ten of the injured passengers sustained serious injuries, including cervical fractures, facial injuries, and chest pain.
Air Europa confirmed the incident and stated that the injured passengers were receiving medical attention. The extent of damage to the aircraft is still under evaluation.
This incident highlights the dangers of unexpected turbulence. Passengers are always advised to remain seated and wear their seatbelts whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated.