An Air Europa Boeing plane has made an emergency landing in South America after several people were injured by “strong turbulence” on a flight from the Spanish capital Madrid to Montevideo in Uruguay, the airline said.
The 787-9 Dreamliner was diverted to Natal airport in northeastern Brazil, the Spanish company said on social media, adding that passengers who suffered injuries “are receiving attention”.
Uruguay’s foreign ministry said in a statement that those in need of medical attention were taken to a hospital in Natal. Several have already been discharged.
A Uruguayan diplomatic source said that “between 25 and 30” people were injured, but the number was not final.
Most suffered “mild trauma” and “at first sight, no one’s life is at risk,” the source added.
Air Europa said a plane will leave from Madrid to pick up the passengers in Natal and continue the journey to Uruguay.
In May, a 73-year-old British man died and several other passengers and crew suffered skull, brain and spine injuries when a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 hit severe turbulence on a flight from London.
It was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.
In January, another incident involving a Boeing plane happened when a fuselage panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX.
The company’s aircraft were also involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
