Bangkok, Thailand – Tragedy struck on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, resulting in one person’s death and at least 71 others being injured due to severe turbulence. The Boeing 777-300ER plane was forced to divert to Bangkok, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.
Reports indicate that the mid-air disruption caused 30 passengers to sustain injuries requiring hospital treatment, with others receiving care at the airport. Among the injured was a 73-year-old British man who unfortunately lost his life, as confirmed by Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport General Manager Kittipong Kittikachorn.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the deceased suffered from a heart condition, with ongoing autopsy procedures to determine further details. The British Foreign Office expressed support for the family of the British passenger who tragically passed away.
Upon landing in Bangkok, several passengers were found with broken arms, while the majority of injuries consisted of cuts and bruises. Medical facilities quickly attended to the injured, with almost 200 travelers waiting to continue their journeys to their respective destinations.
Aviation tracking data from FlightRadar24 revealed that the turbulence occurred over Myanmar, prompting the pilot to declare a medical emergency and divert the aircraft to Bangkok. The airline stated that the sudden turbulence occurred at 37,000 feet over the Irrawaddy Basin, 10 hours into the flight.
Analysis of satellite data suggested that the turbulence was likely caused by rapidly developing thunderstorms over southern Myanmar during that time. These findings align with the airline’s report and independent data analysis from FlightRadar24.
In response to the incident, Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured support for all affected passengers and families. Singapore’s Ministry of Transport initiated an investigation into the situation, with collaborative efforts between Singaporean and Thai aviation authorities.
Turbulence remains a persistent risk during flights, with varying levels of impact on passengers based on the severity. The unfortunate events on this flight serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of air travel, and the importance of safety measures and support systems in place.