'I only realised afterwards that it was parts of the nose cone that I saw flying past.

'An Austrian Airlines spokesperson told the BBC that a technical team had been 'tasked with assessing the specific damage to the aircraft.

' 'As of now, the hail has damaged the two front cockpit windows, the aircraft nose (radome), and some coverings,' the spokesperson said.

The incident comes just weeks after a 73-year-old British man was killed during intense turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore.

The airline said it will pay $10,000 (£7,800) to those who sustained minor injuries, in a Facebook post on Friday.

For passengers with more serious injuries, the airline is providing 'an advance payment of $25,000 to address their immediate needs' and further discussions to meet 'their specific circumstances.

'Three US citizens, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen were arrested on suspicion of planning to destabilize the country.

Spain's ambassador has been summoned by Venezuela after a minister called the country a 'dictatorship.

'