At least 30 people were injured after an Air Europa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight encountered severe turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. The incident caused chaos inside the aircraft, with passengers being thrown out of their seats, and one man was even stuck in the overhead luggage compartment.

Passengers on Flight UX045 from Spain to Uruguay shared disturbing videos of the aftermath of the turbulence. One passenger uploaded a video showing a man's feet sticking out of an overhead bin, allegedly having been thrown up there by the turbulence. A group of people quickly gathered to help pull him down, while the sound of a crying baby echoed in the background.

Additional footage captured by passengers revealed torn ceiling panels, dangling oxygen masks, and at least one destroyed seat due to the impact of the turbulence. The situation prompted the flight, carrying 325 passengers, to make an emergency landing in Natal, Brazil, instead of continuing its journey to the Uruguayan capital.

In a statement, Air Europa confirmed that the flight had encountered turbulence while flying over the Atlantic Ocean and assured that the plane had landed normally. The airline also stated that the injuries suffered by the passengers, which varied in severity, were being treated promptly.

Norys, a passenger on the flight, recounted the terrifying experience. He mentioned that the captain had warned of turbulence and instructed passengers to remain seated and fasten their seatbelts. However, shortly after a subtle turbulence, the plane abruptly fell and everyone was sent airborne. Norys described how some passengers without seatbelts were thrown around, with some even becoming lodged in the aircraft's roof.

Another passenger named Juan compared the incident to a horror movie and shared the feeling of being in a near-death experience. The sensation of falling and the uncertainty of survival were overwhelming, according to Juan.

The injured passengers are currently receiving treatment at Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in Natal. The Uruguayan Foreign Ministry is making arrangements to transport them back to Montevideo.

Air Europa announced that a replacement aircraft would depart from Madrid on Monday to pick up any remaining passengers who did not choose the option of returning to Uruguay by bus.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of turbulence during air travel, highlighting the importance of following safety protocols and remaining seated with seatbelts fastened at all times.