Devastating images show aftermath of plane hit by severe turbulence that killed one
A flight from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok after encountering severe turbulence, which left one man dead and many others injured.
A 73-year-old British man who was travelling with his wife is confirmed to have died, with authorities at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport explaining that there will be an autopsy to confirm cause of death but suggested a heart attack as a possible reason.
Many others received head injuries and authorities said that some couldn't walk when the time came to disembark from the plane.
Meanwhile, passengers on board the flight have been describing their experiences from inside the plane.
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"During the few seconds of the plane dropping there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud," passenger Andrew Davies told BBC News.
He said that the cabin crew 'did everything they could' for the multitudes of injured passengers who had suffered when the plane suddenly dropped.
Another passenger on board the plane, 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir, told Reuters about the moment the plane dropped.
They said: "Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.
"Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it."
In its latest statement, Singapore Airlines said: "Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure.
"The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.
"We can confirm that there were multiple injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
"As of 1950hrs Singapore time on 21 May 2024, 18 individuals had been hospitalised. Another 12 were being treated in hospitals.
"The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
"There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. 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 Ireland, 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 United Kingdom, and 4 from the United States of America.
"Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.
"We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time. We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance.
"A Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.
"SIA is working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident."
Topics: Travel, World News
Joe Harker