Singapore Airlines flight: one dead and more than 20 injured after severe turbulence – latest updates | Air transport

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Singapore Airlines plane ‘fell 6,000 ft in three minutes’ – flight data

The Associated Press has analysed tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 which showed the Singapore Airlines flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 ft.

Just after 8am GMT, the Boeing 777 suddenly pitched down to 31,000 ft over the span of about three minutes, the data indicates.

The aircraft stayed at 31,000 ft for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour.

Screen grab taken from Flightradar24.com of the flightpath of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from london Heathrow to Singapore, which was diverted to Bangkok. Photograph: Flightradar24.com/PAShare

Updated at 12.48 BST

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A passenger onboard the Singapore Airlines flight that had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok has recounted the terrifying descent.

Dzafran Azmir, 28, told Reuters:

Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.

Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.

Singapore Airlines did not say at what point the injuries and death took place, but a passenger who spoke to Reuters said turbulence led to those not wearing seatbelts hitting overhead cabins.

Updated at 12.45 BST

What we know so far…

A Singapore Airlines flight from London made an emergency landing in Bangkok at 15.45 local time (0945 GMT) on Tuesday due to severe turbulence, officials said.

At least one person was killed and some media outlets are reporting that more than 20 other people were injured. Singapore Airlines did not specify how many people were injured.

The airline said the Boeing 777 plane with more than 200 passengers about encountered severe turbulence on its way from Heathrow to Singapore.

Some passengers have reportedly received first aid for head wounds. More than 10 ambulances were deployed to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the injured were taken to Samitivej Srinakarin hospital in Bangkok.

Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 showed the Singapore Airlines flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 ft. Just after 8am GMT, the Boeing 777 suddenly pitched down to 31,000 ft over the span of about three minutes, the data indicates.

Updated at 12.44 BST

Sky’s Asia correspondent, Cordelia Lynch, is at Bangkok airport.

“There’s some suggestion the flight hit an air pocket before it had to make this emergency landing,” she said.

“There are some images circulating on social media that show parts of the plane inside and a lot of scattered debris.”

Singapore’s minister for transport, Chee Hong Tat, has said in a statement:

I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore.

The plane had encountered severe turbulence en-route and had to be diverted to Bangkok. Singapore Airlines has confirmed that there are injuries and one fatality on board.

Ministry of transport, Singapore, Singapore ministry of foreign affairs, civil aviation authority of Singapore and Changi airport officials as well as SIA staff are providing support to the affected passengers and their families. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

A Singapore airline aircraft on tarmac after requesting an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International airport. Photograph: Pongsak Suksi/ReutersShare

Updated at 12.31 BST

More than 20 people injured after Singapore flight hit by turbulence – report

Rebecca Ratcliffe

The broadcaster Thai PBS initially reported that 30 people had been injured, but it later said that it’s estimated more than 20 people are injured.

Some passengers have received first aid for head wounds, it reported. More than 10 ambulances were deployed to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the injured were taken to Samitivej Srinakarin hospital in Bangkok.

Thai media outlet Khaosod has also reported that Keerati Kitmanawat, president and CEO of Airports of Thailand, has confirmed the injured have now been transported to hospital.

The Guardian has not yet independently verified how many people on the flight have been injured.

Here is the full statement from Singapore Airlines issued after it was confirmed that one person had been killed and several others injured on a flight from London that was hit by severe turbulence.

“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” it said in a post on social media.

The airline said it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers, and was sending a team to Bangkok, where the plane was diverted, to provide additional support.

Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.

We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on…

— Singapore Airlines (@SingaporeAir) May 21, 2024

Singapore Airlines plane ‘fell 6,000 ft in three minutes’ – flight data

The Associated Press has analysed tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 which showed the Singapore Airlines flight cruising at an altitude of 37,000 ft.

Just after 8am GMT, the Boeing 777 suddenly pitched down to 31,000 ft over the span of about three minutes, the data indicates.

The aircraft stayed at 31,000 ft for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour.

Screen grab taken from Flightradar24.com of the flightpath of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore, which was diverted to Bangkok. Photograph: Flightradar24.com/PAShare

Updated at 12.48 BST

One person dies and others injured due to turbulence

Rebecca Ratcliffe

One person has died and other passengers have been injured after severe turbulence on a London to Singapore flight.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow diverted to Bangkok and landed at 15:45 local time on Tuesday, the airline said.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality onboard the Boeing 777-300ER,” Singapore Airlines said in a statement. “There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

Images shared on social media showed emergency services at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

“Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew onboard the aircraft. 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.

“We will provide regular updates on our Facebook and X accounts.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/21/singapore-airlines-flight-777-300er-london-bangkok-turbulence