A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after experiencing severe turbulence, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuring several others.
Flight SQ 321, a Boeing 777-300ER, was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members when it was hit by the turbulence over the Bay of Bengal. The plane dropped 6,000 feet in a matter of minutes before landing safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
Singapore Airlines expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and said it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers. A team from the airline was also sent to Bangkok to offer additional support.
Thai authorities dispatched ambulances and emergency teams to the airport to assist the injured passengers. Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the government would provide assistance to the passengers and their families.
The cause of the turbulence is still unclear, but one passenger described the incident as a sudden and dramatic drop that launched passengers who were not wearing seatbelts into the ceiling. Aviation expert John Strickland said that severe turbulence can be dramatic and lead to severe injuries or fatalities, but injuries from turbulence are relatively rare.
Strickland also noted that flight crews are trained to respond to turbulence and that airlines recommend keeping seatbelts loosely fastened throughout a flight to prevent injuries. Research has shown that climate change will make severe turbulence more likely in the future.
The incident is a tragic reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety during air travel. An investigation into the incident is likely to follow.
