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One of the passengers likened the mid-air incident to a horror movie, describing a near-death experience. (X/@JacdecNew)
Air Europa flight incident: Passengers recount terror as plane abruptly descends, causing injuries of varying degrees. Updates on treatment and follow-up flights
An Air Europa flight on Monday experienced harrowing moments when severe turbulence caused injuries to at least 30 passengers aboard a Madrid-bound aircraft. In a statement, Air Europa said that despite the alarming turbulence, the flight crew managed a safe landing.
Passengers aboard Air Europa Flight UX045 from Spain to Uruguay shared video footage showing the aftermath of turbulence that hit the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. One passenger uploaded a video showing a man trapped in the overhead luggage compartment.
“Suddenly the plane abruptly fell and we all went up. Those not wearing seatbelts flew away and some were stuck to the ceiling. It lasted about 3.5 seconds,” a Venezuelan resident in Uruguay who had travelled to Europe for tourism, told El Observador.
One of the passengers likened the mid-air incident to a “horror movie,” describing a near-death experience. “The sensation was one of terror,” he recounted, “the feeling that you are falling and that it does not end.” He added, “You felt that it ended there, that you died.”
The incident drew comparisons to previous aviation turbulence events that have rattled passengers worldwide, including the Singapore Airlines incident in May in which one person died and several others got injured. In the Air Europa air mishap, dozens of injured received treatment at Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in Natal, Brazil, with arrangements made for their return to Montevideo.
Air Europa announced plans for an additional flight from Madrid to retrieve passengers opting against a bus journey back to Uruguay. In response to queries regarding safety protocols during turbulence, Air Europa reiterated its adherence to rigorous safety standards, including seatbelt advisories during flight. Authorities in both Uruguay and Brazil coordinated efforts to ensure prompt medical attention for the injured.
