1 dead, several hurt after flight to Singapore hits turbulence

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.

Flight SQ321 reportedly flew through a region experiencing extreme tropical thunderstorms, which caused severe turbulence and prompted the emergency landing.

Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said during a press 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.

An updated statement from the airline confirmed 12 others received treatment at hospitals and the remaining passengers and crew members were being examined and treated as needed.

Singapore Airlines did not say at what point the injuries and death took place, but a passenger who spoke to Reuters said turbulence led to those not wearing seatbelts hitting 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 seatbelts 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.

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Reuters contributed to this report.