SUVARNABHUMI – A British man, 73, has died aboard after Singapore Airlines flight SQ 321 from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence. The plane was diverted to Bangkok and made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi airport, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
The Boeing 777-300ER, with a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board, landed in Bangkok at 3:45 p.m. (0845 GMT), the airline said in a Facebook post.
“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” the airline said. “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.”
Despite initial reports of two passenger fatalities in Thai media, Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, later clarified that there was only one confirmed death, a 73-year-old British man. The preliminary cause of death is believed to be heart disease, but doctors are still investigating the exact cause.
Regarding the number of injured passengers, there are 30 in total. Of these, 16 were taken to the hospital, with 7 in critical condition, mostly due to head injuries and pain in the arms and muscles. The remaining 14 passengers with minor injuries are currently at the passenger waiting area.
Mr. Kittipong further stated that based on the inspection of the aircraft, it is still capable of flying. However, the interior of the plane is in a state of disarray, likely due to experiencing severe turbulence at a considerable altitude. At the time of the incident, it is believed that the passengers were in the middle of a meal service and were expected to arrive in Singapore within 2-3 hours. From conversations with the passengers, almost everyone was wearing their seat belts. It is not yet known whether the deceased passenger was wearing a seat belt or not, as his wife was injured and has been sent to the hospital.
There are also video clips from inside the aircraft revealed the extent of the damage, with objects scattered throughout the passenger cabin, air ducts torn and hanging from the ceiling, and numerous passenger oxygen masks that have fallen from their compartments.
The Associated Press reported that crews from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from Suvarnabhumi Airport, were on site to transfer injured passengers from Flight SQ321 from Heathrow off the runway for treatment. Videos posted on the LINE messaging platform by Suvarnabhumi Airport showed a line of ambulances streaming to the scene.
Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 and analyzed by The Associated Press showed the Singapore Airlines flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet. Just after 0800 GMT, the Boeing 777 suddenly and sharply pitched down to 31,000 feet over the span of some three minutes, the data shows.
The aircraft stayed at 31,000 feet for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, stated that he had instructed the Airports of Thailand (AOT) to fully assist and facilitate the passengers and crew of the airline. AOT officials, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines, are providing care and assistance to the passengers as they await their onward journey to Singapore. It is expected that an aircraft from Changi Airport will arrive in Thailand at approximately 9:45 p.m.
He also urged all aviation agencies, including all airlines, to emphasize the utmost safety, as the weather conditions during this period are volatile, with heavy rainfall in some areas.
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