The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): A British man died and more than two dozen passengers were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean. The plane, which was traveling from London’s Heathrow Airport to Singapore, descended 6,000 feet within three minutes due to the turbulence, the airline reported on Tuesday. The aircraft was diverted and landed amid stormy weather at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The 73-year-old British man, whose name has not yet been released, may have suffered a heart attack during the incident, although this has not been confirmed. The Boeing 777 flight carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members. Following the emergency landing, medical teams quickly attended to the passengers. Videos posted on the LINE messaging platform by Suvarnabhumi Airport showed numerous ambulances arriving at the scene.
Singapore Airlines stated on Facebook that four hours after the emergency landing, 18 passengers remained hospitalized, while another 12 were treated as outpatients. “The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment where necessary,” the airline added.
The Airports of Thailand group provided support for the lightly injured and non-injured passengers at a special location within the terminal. Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungruangkit, announced that Singapore would send another plane to transport these passengers to Singapore’s Changi Airport later that night. The replacement plane was expected to arrive in Bangkok at 9:45 p.m.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, mentioned in a news conference that the British man appeared to have had a heart attack. Data from FlightRadar24, analyzed by The Associated Press, showed the flight, SQ321, cruising at 37,000 feet before suddenly plummeting to 31,000 feet in three minutes. The plane remained at 31,000 feet for under ten minutes before diverting to Bangkok, landing less than half an hour later.
The sharp descent occurred over the Andaman Sea, near Myanmar, and the aircraft sent an emergency signal with the “squawk code” 7700. Singapore Airlines extended its deepest condolences to the deceased’s family, stating, “We are working with local authorities in Thailand to provide necessary medical assistance and are sending a team to Bangkok for any additional support needed.”
Singapore’s Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat, also offered his condolences on Facebook, adding that his ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority, Changi Airport officials, and airline staff were all providing support to the affected passengers and their families.