One dead and multiple injured as flight from UK hit by severe turbulence

A passenger has died and others have been injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore suffered from severe turbulence.

The flight had departed from Heathrow Airport on Monday night (20 May) carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew before it hit turbulence.

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand at 3:45pm local time, with local media reporting that ambulances were driven onto the tarmac to reach the plane and one person had died.

"Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route," the airline said in a statement.

"The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.

Ambulances were pictured next to the plane at the airport. (X/@tinchok555)

"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER.

"There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. 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 on board 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."

The airline also promised to keep people updated with any further information via Twitter and Facebook.

The airline confirmed in a statement that one person had died and others were injured. (X/@tinchok555)

People have been using the airline's posts about the tragic death of someone on board flight SQ321 to offer their condolences on the loss of life.

They said it was 'so tragic' and 'must have been so scary' for the people on board the plane, and many more sympathised with what must have been 'a nightmare to all passengers'.

Turbulence is a danger that many flights experience and while it can be unsettling for passengers it is rarely so serious as to cause injuries, death and force a plane to make an emergency landing.

It occurs when a plane hits a strong current of wind which can push or pull the aircraft, and the main causes are mountains, jet streams and storms.

In a recorded period between 2009 and 2021 there were 146 injuries recorded among passengers and crew with turbulence given as the cause.

The Boeing 777 had previously made the flight from London to Singapore on 18 May before making a journey from Singapore to Jakarta, Indonesia, and back on 20 May before heading for London again.