Turbulence Injures 27 Aboard Aeroflot on Approach to BKK

A Boeing 777 operated by Aeroflot at the Vnukovo International Airport outside Moscow. Photo: Papas Dos / Flickr

BANGKOK — Twenty-seven people have been injured, several with suspected spinal damage, after an Aeroflot Boeing 777-300 on which they were traveling from Moscow to Bangkok hit strong turbulence.

The Russian Embassy in Bangkok said in a statement that Flight SU270 hit an air pocket Monday on its approach to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, and that those injured had not been wearing seat belts.

A Russian diplomat who asked to be identified as the embassy duty officer said 15 remained hospitalized, but none had life-threatening injuries. According to a list issued by the embassy, all of the injured were all Russians ranging in age from about one to 69, except for three Thais.