Air Europa flight to Uruguay diverted to Brazil after severe turbulence

SAO PAULO – An Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo was diverted to a Brazilian airport on July 1 after hitting severe turbulence, the carrier said, adding that injured passengers were being treated.

Flight UX045 made an emergency landing at the Natal Airport in northeastern Brazil at 2:32 a.m. local time (0532 GMT), according to local airport operator Zurich Airport Brasil.

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft was flying the route, FlightRadar24 data showed.

“Our flight bound for Montevideo was diverted to Natal due to strong turbulence,” Air Europa said in a statement on social media. “The plane landed normally and those injured of varying severity are already being treated.”

Zurich Airport said in a separate statement that the passengers who needed medical assistance were taken by ambulance to Natal hospitals.

The government of Rio Grande do Norte state, where Natal is located, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to Air Europa, a second plane was set to depart from Madrid later on July 1 to pick up the passengers and continue the trip to Uruguay. REUTERS