WATCH: Air Europa passenger ends up in overhead bin amid severe flight turbulence; 30 others injured

An Air Europa flight flying from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay, took a terrifying turn on Monday after encountering severe turbulence. The incident, which left at least 30 passengers injured, has gone viral thanks to a shocking video circulating on social media.

The footage of the Air Europa turbulence shows the chaotic aftermath of the turbulence, with ceiling panels ripped from their moorings, oxygen masks dangling, and a single, very misplaced passenger. The clip opens with a pair of legs dangling from an overhead luggage compartment. It quickly becomes clear that a man is stuck inside, having apparently been thrown upwards by the plane's violent shaking. Thankfully, fellow passengers are quick to react, working together to pull him down to safety. The harrowing scene is punctuated by the cries of a distressed baby, adding to the sense of panic.
The Air Europa turbulence wasn't just a spectacle — it was a medical emergency. A total of 30 people were injured during the ordeal, forcing the Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to make an emergency landing at Natal Airport in northeastern Brazil.

Social media, unsurprisingly, has been abuzz with the video. Many users expressed fear and disbelief, with some questioning whether the passenger was wearing their seatbelt. One user commented, "Oh dear. Another fear unlocked," perfectly encapsulating the anxieties flyers everywhere will be feeling after watching this.

Fortunately, according to Air Europa's official statement, all injuries appear to be minor and those affected are receiving medical attention. The plane itself landed safely, and the airline assures passengers that the diversion was a necessary precaution.

Incidents like the Air Europa turbulence on the rise due to climate change

While turbulence is a normal part of flying, thanks to things like weather patterns, reports suggest flights are getting rougher. The culprit behind the increased turbulence is rising carbon dioxide emissions, which are disrupting air currents high above our heads, studies have shown.

Professor Paul Williams, a turbulence expert at the University of Reading, has been studying this phenomenon for over a decade. He differentiates between turbulence caused by bad weather and "clear air turbulence" – those unexpected bumps you hit at high altitudes on clear days. This is the type of turbulence Williams connects to climate change. His research suggests clear air turbulence could triple by the end of the century!

The reason? Climate change is impacting the jet stream, a high-altitude wind current that aeroplanes use for efficient travel. In 2023, Williams told Insider that the jet stream's wind speeds have increased by 15% since the 1970s, creating more turbulence. This means bumpier flights, potentially more passenger and crew injuries, particularly for flight attendants who must move around the cabin.

To address this issue, Williams emphasises the need for better turbulence forecasting to minimise the impact. For passengers, his advice is simple: buckle up and stay seated whenever possible.