In a tragic incident, one passenger has been killed and several others injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand shortly before 4 PM local time.
The flight, which departed from Heathrow Airport on Monday evening, ran into adverse weather conditions over the Bay of Bengal, just south of Myanmar. According to Thai media, 30 passengers sustained injuries during the turbulence.
In an official statement on Facebook, Singapore Airlines confirmed the fatality and the injuries, expressing deep condolences to the family of the deceased. “Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” the airline stated. “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.”
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet before suddenly descending to 31,000 feet over the course of three minutes, just after 8 AM GMT. The sharp descent was due to clear air turbulence, which often occurs without visible weather changes and can be severe.
Emergency teams and ambulances were dispatched to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, where the plane made its emergency landing. Images circulating on social media show medical personnel attending to the injured passengers upon landing.
Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore.” He assured that the government would assist the affected passengers and their families.
The region where the turbulence occurred is currently experiencing extreme tropical thunderstorms, which likely contributed to the severity of the turbulence.
Singapore Airlines, known for its strong safety record, has had few incidents involving fatalities. The last significant accident was in 2000 when a Boeing 747-400 crashed during takeoff from Taipei, resulting in 83 fatalities.
As investigations into this latest incident continue, Singapore Airlines is focusing on supporting the affected passengers and their families during this difficult time. The airline has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety and care for all its passengers.
Credit: Independent.uk
