There have been a complete of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, it mentioned
Singapore/Bangkok:
There have been not less than three Indian nationals among the many 229 folks aboard the Singapore Airways flight that encountered a “sudden excessive turbulence” over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 toes, the flag service of Singapore mentioned on Tuesday.
The traumatic incident by which the plane descended 6,000 toes in about three minutes, left a 73-year-old British man lifeless and greater than two dozen different passengers injured.
The British man, who was not but recognized, “probably” died from a coronary heart assault, the Normal Supervisor of Suvarnabhumi Airport Kittipong Kittikachorn mentioned.
Singapore Airways (SIA) flight SQ321, working from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on Might 20 encountered “sudden excessive turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 toes about 10 hours after departure,” the service mentioned.
The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok, and landed on Might 21. “We will verify that there have been a number of accidents and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER plane,” the service mentioned in a Fb submit.
A complete of 18 people had been hospitalised. One other 12 had been being handled in hospitals. The remaining passengers and crew had been being examined and given therapy, the place obligatory, at Suvarnabhumi Worldwide Airport in Bangkok, Singapore Airways mentioned.
There have been a complete of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, it mentioned.
The nationalities of the passengers are as follows: 56 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Germany, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 4 from Eire, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 5 from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, 47 from the UK, and 4 from the US of America.
Authorities haven’t launched particulars of the injured passengers and crew or their nationalities.
“Singapore Airways presents its deepest condolences to the household of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic expertise that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.
“We’re offering all obligatory help throughout this tough time. We’re working with our colleagues and the native authorities in Thailand to supply the required help,” it mentioned.
Singapore Airways was utilizing a 16-year-old 777 mannequin for the SQ321 service hit by extreme turbulence.
A Singapore Airways group is on its option to Bangkok to supply any further help wanted. SIA is working with the related authorities on the investigation into this incident.
Family members searching for info might name the Singapore Airways hotlines at 65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the UK), the service mentioned.
Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong prolonged his condolences to “members of the family and family members of the deceased.” “Sadly, we’re marking Vesak Day this 12 months with information of the incident on the SQ321 flight earlier at present. We’re all saddened and shocked by what occurred,” he mentioned in a Fb submit.
He added that Singapore is working intently with the Thai authorities and “doing every thing we are able to to help the passengers and crew”.
“We pray for his or her secure return and easy restoration for individuals who are injured. We’re nonetheless getting extra info from Bangkok and can present additional updates in the end,” he mentioned.
US plane producer Boeing prolonged its condolences to the household of the British man who died aboard SQ321, a Boeing 777-300ER.
“We’re involved with Singapore Airways concerning flight SQ321 and stand able to help them,” Boeing mentioned on X.
With gentle and reasonable turbulence passengers may really feel a pressure in opposition to their seatbelt, and unsecured objects might transfer across the cabin. However in extreme circumstances turbulence can throw passengers across the cabin, inflicting extreme accidents and sometimes dying, CNN reported.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
