Singapore Airlines reported that severe turbulence during a flight from London to Singapore resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries.
Emergency Landing in Bangkok
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft diverted to Bangkok, landing safely at 3:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The airline stated that 18 individuals were hospitalized, and 12 others received medical attention. Remaining passengers and crew underwent examinations and treatment at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
Flight Details and Injuries
The flight carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members, departing from Heathrow Airport on Monday. The exact number of injured individuals is still under investigation, according to a statement from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Immediate Response
Emergency responders transported the injured to hospitals and set up a designated area for uninjured passengers. Flight SQ321, which departed from London Heathrow at 10:38 p.m. local time on Monday, experienced a significant altitude change from 37,000 feet to approximately 31,000 feet over Myanmar, according to Flight Radar 24 data.
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Cause of Turbulence
The cause of the turbulence remains unclear, though satellite data suggested severe storms in the region. Turbulence-related deaths are rare, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting 146 serious injuries between 2009 and 2021.
Reactions and Condolences
Singapore Airlines extended condolences to the deceased individual’s family and expressed regret for the distress experienced by passengers and crew. Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s minister for transport, expressed deep sadness regarding the incident.
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