Video: Traveler Appears to be Trapped in Overhead Compartment During Turbulence

An Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay was diverted after encountering severe turbulence. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was flying from Madrid to Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, when it had to divert early Monday morning. In a statement shared with Business Insider, Air Europa said seven people were injured, while an “undetermined number” had minor bruises. The New York Times reported that 36 people were injured. Images shared on social media appeared to show damage to the cabin’s ceiling panels. In one clip, people are seen seemingly helping a fellow passenger down from an overhead luggage compartment.

Romina Apai, a passenger on the flight, told Uruguayan TV network Teledoce that she was sitting next to the person who got stuck in the compartment. Another passenger, Evangelina Saravia, said the man appeared to be stuck in the damaged roof. “A person was suspended between the plastic roof and the metal roof that is behind it, and had to be lowered,” she told Teledoce. “The same thing happened to a baby, I think he was one year old, who hit the roof.” Medical services attended to the Boeing 787 after it landed in Natal, Brazil. In the statement, Air Europa said, “The aircraft will be checked to determine the extent of the damage.” It added that it would send another plane to pick up the passengers. “The company thanks the local authorities for their rapid intervention and assistance.”

The incident is the latest of several instances involving severe turbulence in recent months. In May, a 73-year-old Singapore Airlines passenger died and dozens more were injured. Days later, 12 people were injured on a Qatar Airways flight. Severe injuries due to turbulence are extremely rare. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration shows an average of less than 12 people a year were seriously injured by turbulence between 2009 and 2022.