Geoff Kitchen : “20 in ICU after turbulent Singapore Airlines flight”

Twenty individuals were receiving intensive care in hospitals in Bangkok on Wednesday following a harrowing incident on a flight from London. An elderly passenger tragically lost their life, while over 100 people sustained injuries.

The Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 encountered sudden extreme turbulence over Myanmar, 10 hours into its journey to Singapore on Tuesday. The aircraft experienced abrupt rises and falls, causing chaos at an altitude of 11,300 meters (37,000 feet).

Passengers were reportedly thrown around the cabin with such force that they caused dents in the ceiling. The in-flight drama left many passengers with head injuries, as depicted in photos showing a chaotic cabin strewn with food, drinks, and luggage.

With 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board, the plane made an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Medical personnel swiftly attended to the injured, using gurneys to transport them to waiting ambulances on the tarmac.

One passenger described the terrifying experience of being flung to the ceiling and then crashing to the floor as the plane descended. The crew members, in the midst of preparing breakfast, suffered severe injuries as well.

Tragically, a 73-year-old British man lost his life, and 104 individuals were injured during the flight. Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok reported that 85 of the injured individuals were being treated, with 20 of them requiring intensive care.

‘Awful Screaming’

Following the incident, a relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew members landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport. While relatives greeted the arrivals with hugs, the passengers were too shaken to speak to reporters.

Andrew Davies, a British passenger on the Boeing 777-300ER, recounted the sudden drop of the plane and the ensuing chaos. He mentioned hearing screams and assisting a woman with a head injury.

Singapore Airlines’ Chief Executive expressed deep regret for the traumatic experience and offered condolences to the family of the deceased passenger. The Prime Minister of Singapore also extended his sympathies to the loved ones of the deceased individual.

‘Crazy Flight’

Singapore’s transport minister revealed that investigators from the city-state had arrived in Bangkok, with a team from the US National Transportation Safety Board to follow due to the involvement of a Boeing aircraft.

While Filipino and Malaysian nationals were among those injured, the airline confirmed that the majority of passengers were Australian, British, and Singaporean. The exact cause of the turbulence remains under investigation.

Experts have highlighted the potential impact of climate change on clear air turbulence, warning of increased risks in the future. A study from 2023 indicated a significant rise in severe clear air turbulence cases over the past few decades.