One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured after flight SQ321 of the Singapore Airlines from London (Heathrow) faced severe turbulence and diverted back to Bangkok, Thailand.
In a May 21 statement, Singapore Airline confirmed that there were injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER.
The airline also confirmed that there was a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing77-300ER. There was a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on Board,” read the statement by the airline in part.
Singapore Airline further assured that they will provide any assistance to all their passengers and crew on board the flight.
“Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. 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,” reads part of the airline’s statement.
In addition, Singapore airline noted that 18 people had been hospitalized by 1950hrs as other passengers and crew were being examined and treated.
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“As of 1950hrs Singapore time on 21 May 2024, 18 individuals have been hospitalized. Another 12 are being treated in hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok,” the statement further reads.
Details of the Singapore Plane Incident
According to reports, the aircraft flew for about 11 hours from takeoff in London, when it sharply dropped from an altitude of around 37000 feet within just five minutes as it finished traversing the Andaman Sea and neared Thailand.
“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 seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling,” Dzarfran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on board the flight told Reuters.
Andrew Davies, another passenger on board the plane also described how the plane “just dropped”.
“I was on that flight and helped as much as I could. Those not injured (including me) are in a holding area at Bangkok airport. My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost his life and his poor wife. Awful experience,” he wrote on X.
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Singapore’s Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat through a post on social media expressed concern over the incident noting that all affected families will be provided with necessary support.
He said he was “deeply saddened to learn about the incident.”
“Ministry of Transport, Singapore, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport officials as well as SIA [Singapore Airlines] staff are providing support to the affected passengers and their families,” he added.
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