BRAZIL, July 2: An Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo was forced to make an emergency landing after encountering severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to dozens of passengers.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, initially bound for Montevideo, Uruguay, had to divert to Natal Airport in northeastern Brazil, touching down at approximately 2:30 am local time on Monday.

Photographs and videos circulating online purportedly show the aftermath, including several passengers receiving medical attention, one of whom is seen wearing a neck brace. The images also reveal small splatters of blood, significant damage to the seats and ceiling of the aircraft, and unverified reports of a man being thrown into an overhead compartment during the turbulence.

In a statement, Air Europa confirmed the incident: "Our flight bound for Montevideo was diverted to Natal due to strong turbulence. The plane landed normally, and those injured of varying severity are already being treated."

Health officials in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte reported that 30 passengers had been taken to hospitals in Natal with "minor abrasions or orthopedic traumas."

Air Europa announced that a replacement aircraft would be sent from Madrid later on Monday to transport the passengers to Uruguay.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a tragic event weeks earlier, where a 73-year-old British man died after experiencing severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore. Some scientists have linked an increase in turbulence incidents to climate change, suggesting that such occurrences could become more frequent and severe.