When you step onto a plane, you expect a smooth ride to your destination. However, for passengers on an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay, that was not the case. The flight, which encountered severe turbulence, left more than two dozen passengers injured, some with neck and skull fractures. This incident marks at least the second case of severe injuries from turbulence worldwide in just two months.
Flight UX045 was forced to make an emergency landing in Natal, Brazil, after experiencing turbulence over four hours into the journey from Madrid. According to flight data, the turbulence was so severe that some passengers hit their heads, resulting in head, neck, and chest injuries. Brazilian public health officials treated 36 passengers for injuries, with 23 of them needing hospitalization.
While some passengers suffered from shock, officials reported no physical injuries. By the evening, five passengers remained hospitalized, four in intensive care.
Eyewitnesses on the Boeing 787 jet described a harrowing scene, with passengers being thrown through the cabin. Videos posted on social media show the chaos onboard, with one passenger even becoming embedded in the plane’s ceiling area. The severity of the turbulence can be seen in the broken ceiling panels and seats.
Turbulence is a common occurrence during flights but rarely results in such serious injuries. Despite this, the recent incident on the Air Europa flight is the second major turbulence-related incident in two months, highlighting the need for caution during flights.
Studies show that turbulence may become more common due to climate change, posing a potential risk to air travel safety. Understanding the causes of turbulence and taking necessary precautions, such as wearing seatbelts, is crucial to ensuring passenger well-being during flights.
