According to CNN, severe turbulence during a flight from London to Singapore resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to at least 71 others.
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was diverted to Bangkok, as reported on the Singapore Airlines Facebook page. A total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on board.
On May 20, 2024, Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore, encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok.
As of May 21, 18 passengers were hospitalized while 12 others were treated. The rest of the passengers and crew were being examined and treated as needed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
The New York Post identified the deceased passenger as Geoff Kitchen from Gloucestershire. He was traveling with his wife, Linda, to begin a six-week tour of Asia and Australia. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack when the plane experienced a rapid descent of over 6,000 feet.
Singapore Airlines expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and apologized for the traumatic experience. They are providing necessary assistance and working with local authorities in Thailand for the investigation.
Relatives seeking information can call the Singapore Airlines hotlines in Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
This tragic incident follows CNN’s report that Singapore Airlines plans to give its employees bonuses equivalent to around eight months of their salaries.
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