Severe turbulence forced a Singapore Airlines flight to divert to Bangkok, leading to an emergency landing at 3:45 pm local time.
SIA has since confirmed the death of one passenger following severe turbulence encountered during a flight from London to Singapore on Tuesday (21 May).
Thai authorities identified the deceased as a 73-year-old British man, with an additional seven passengers critically injured.
Here’s what is known so far.
The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at 10:38 pm local time on Monday.
Designated SQ321, the flight was redirected to Bangkok after encountering turbulence, landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3:45 pm local time.
Flight tracking data indicated a significant altitude drop of 6,000 feet within four minutes during the incident, occurring between 4:06 am and 4:11 am (US Eastern Daylight Time). The aircraft’s altitude transitioned from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet during this period.
Passengers reported a sudden drop in the aircraft, corroborated by images circulating on social media depicting the chaotic aftermath.
According to Mr Kittikachorn, the airport’s General Manager, the deceased passenger likely suffered a heart attack.
Seven critically injured individuals sustained head injuries, with one crew member hospitalized. As of 7:50 pm (Singapore time), 18 people were hospitalized, and 12 were receiving treatment at hospitals.
SIA is providing assistance to all passengers and crew affected by the incident, coordinating with Thai authorities to ensure necessary medical support.
A team from SIA was dispatched to Bangkok to offer further aid.
Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, conveyed condolences to the deceased passenger’s family and expressed sorrow over the incident. He assured that authorities and SIA staff were providing support to affected passengers and their families.