BANGKOK, Thailand (NewsNation) — One person died and dozens of other passengers were injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence Tuesday, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board,” the airline posted to its social media accounts.
“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologize for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time,” an updated statement from the airline said.
‘Sudden extreme turbulence’
Flight SQ321 reportedly experienced “sudden extreme turbulence” flying over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet, the airline said. The region experienced extreme tropical thunderstorms, which caused severe turbulence and prompted the emergency landing about 10 hours after the flight’s departure.
Passengers said the cabin crew was in the middle of serving food when the pilots turned on the fasten seat belt sign. Near instantly, the plane dropped about 6,000 feet.
“The plane just dropped, an extremely surreal experience. I remember vividly objects, people’s belongings, cushions, tea cups, plates, you name it, just hurtling through the cabin,” passenger Andrew Davies said.
Singapore Airlines said the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok.
Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said during a news conference that a 73-year-old British man died during the incident, likely due to a heart attack. Of the 18 people hospitalized, seven were in critical condition due to head injuries. A crew member was among those hospitalized, he said.
The airline said in another statement that 12 other people received treatment at hospitals, and the remaining passengers and crew members were being examined and treated as needed.
In total, more than 70 people were injured.
According to the airline, the nationalities of the passengers are as follows:
- 56 from Australia
- 2 from Canada
- 1 from Germany
- 3 from India
- 2 from Indonesia
- 1 from Iceland
- 4 from Ireland
- 1 from Israel
- 16 from Malaysia
- 2 from Myanmar
- 23 from New Zealand
- 5 from the Philippines
- 41 from Singapore
- 1 from South Korea
- 2 from Spain
- 47 from the United Kingdom
- 4 from the United States
Passenger describes ‘very dramatic drop’
A passenger who spoke to Reuters said the turbulence caused those not wearing seat belts to hit overhead cabins.
“Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking, so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop, so everyone seated and not wearing seat belts were launched immediately into the ceiling,” Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on board the flight, told Reuters.
“Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it,” he said.
Singapore Airlines set up a hotline for family members of those on the aircraft seeking information at (+65) 6542-3311.
Reuters contributed to this report.