General
One dead and others injured after severe turbulence onboard London-Singapore flight
Singapore’s minister for transport said he was “deeply saddened to learn about the incident” onboard the Singapore Airlines flight from London Heathrow on Tuesday.
One person has died aboard a flight travelling from London to Singapore on Tuesday, which was battered by severe turbulence, according to Singapore Airlines.
The plane was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
The Boeing 777-300ER, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board, landed safely in Thailand’s capital, the airline said in a Facebook post.
Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analysed by AP showed the flight suddenly and sharply pitching down over the course of three minutes.
The aircraft stayed at 9,500 metres for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in around half an hour.
I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to…
Posted by Chee Hong Tat 徐芳达 on Tuesday, May 21, 2024
In a statement, Singapore’s minister for transport Chee Hong Tat said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore.
The plane had encountered severe turbulence en route and had to be diverted to Bangkok. Singapore Airlines has confirmed that there are injuries and one fatality on board.
“Ministry of Transport, Singapore, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport officials as well as SIA staff are providing support to the affected passengers and their families.”
“My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” he added.
Increase in turbulence to blame?
Emergency crews from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, located about 20 kilometres away from Suvarnabhumi Airport, were on site to transfer injured passengers from Flight SQ321 from Heathrow off the runway for treatment.
“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” said the airline in a statement.
“We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”
Images reportedly taken from within the plane posted on social media show damage to the plane’s overhead lockers and oxygen masks hanging from the plane’s roof.
Injuries from turbulence are rare but not impossible, according to aviation experts.
Researchers from the University of Reading have said that turbulence has increased in intensity, frequency and duration in various regions around the world, linking its increase to climate change.
