British man, 73, dies on Singapore Airlines flight after severe turbulence; 7 critically injured
On a routine Singapore Airlines flight, tragedy struck as severe turbulence wreaked havoc among passengers, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man and leaving seven others critically injured. The unexpected turn of events has raised concerns and highlighted the unpredictable nature of air travel despite stringent safety measures.
A 73-year-old British man died on Tuesday (May 21) after severe turbulence struck a Singapore Airlines flight. Seven passengers were critically injured, according to a senior Thai airport official.
Flight SQ321, traveling from London to Singapore, was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.45pm local time (4.45pm Singapore time).
Here’s a recap of what happened:
Yesterday 23:33
A Singapore Airlines flight, SQ321, traveling from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the tragic death of a 73-year-old British passenger. Seven others were critically injured during the turbulent episode. As a result, the flight made an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.45pm local time.
Stay tuned for further developments and updates regarding this unfortunate incident.
Yesterday 23:29
Passengers who weren’t wearing seat belts during the severe turbulence were thrown into the overhead baggage cabins, as described by a Malaysian student who was on the flight. Another passenger noted that the seat belt sign was activated just before the plane experienced the sudden drop, resulting in some individuals sustaining cuts on their heads and experiencing bleeding ears due to the turbulence.
Yesterday 23:20
The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 was visibly damaged after encountering severe turbulence. Oxygen masks were left dangling from the ceiling, while food items were scattered across the floor, depicting the chaotic aftermath of the turbulence incident.
Yesterday 23:10
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his condolences to the family members and loved ones of the man who lost his life in the turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321. He conveyed deep sadness and shock regarding the tragic event. Mr. Wong also assured that Singapore is collaborating closely with Thai authorities to extend support to the passengers and crew affected by the incident. He mentioned ongoing efforts to gather more information from Bangkok and pledged to provide further updates as the situation unfolds.
Yesterday 23:05
Thai news outlet Khaosod has issued a correction regarding its initial statement about the casualties in the turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321. They clarified that while earlier reports indicated two fatalities, it was later confirmed that one of the 30 injured individuals succumbed to injuries in a Thai hospital.
Yesterday 22:49
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has provided a detailed breakdown of the nationalities of passengers aboard SQ321:
- 6 passengers from Australia
- 2 passengers from Canada
- 1 passenger from Germany
- 3 passengers from India
- 2 passengers from Indonesia
- 1 passenger from Iceland
- 4 passengers from Ireland
- 1 passenger from Israel
- 16 passengers from Malaysia
- 2 passengers from Myanmar
- 23 passengers from New Zealand
- 5 passengers from the Philippines
- 41 passengers from Singapore
- 1 passenger from South Korea
- 2 passengers from Spain
- 47 passengers from the United Kingdom
- 4 passengers from the United States
Additionally, SIA provided an update at 10:35 pm Singapore time, stating that the plane encountered “sudden extreme turbulence” over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet, approximately 10 hours after departing from Heathrow. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, where it landed at 3:45 pm local time. Flight tracking data indicated a 6,000-foot drop from 37,000 feet within a span of four minutes during the turbulence.
Yesterday 22:09
Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), under the Transport Ministry, has initiated an investigation into the events surrounding SQ321. The bureau has established communication with Thai authorities and is preparing to dispatch investigators to Bangkok for further inquiry.
Yesterday 22:06
Severe turbulence, such as the incident experienced by SQ321, is considered to be extremely rare in aviation. Experts note that turbulence typically does not result in fatalities or significant injuries. Independent aviation analyst Alvin Lie explained that the turbulence encountered by Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 was likely classified as “extreme” according to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service.
Extreme turbulence, as defined by NOAA, can cause aircraft to violently toss and may lead to structural damage, making it challenging to control. Mr. Lie suggested that SQ321 likely encountered clear air turbulence (CAT), a type of turbulence caused by the movement of air masses rather than visible clouds. Pilots are typically alerted to turbulence caused by clouds through radar systems, allowing them to adjust and warn passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
Noting the timing of the incident, Mr. Lie speculated that many passengers may have been moving about the cabin, potentially leading to injuries when the turbulence struck. He emphasized that CAT can occur unpredictably and can vary in severity, underscoring that the phenomenon is rare and difficult to anticipate.
In summary, severe turbulence occurrences like the one on SQ321 are infrequent in aviation, with clear air turbulence presenting unique challenges due to its unpredictable nature.
