One person is dead and dozens are injured after a Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence.
Flight SQ321 had been en route to Singapore from London when it plummeted thousands of feet. The Boeing 777-300ER diverted to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport for an emergency landing.
The deceased was a 73-year-old British man, according to Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager for the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
“The cause for the death was initially assumed as heart failure or heart attack,” Kittikachorn said.
In regard to the injured, seven cases are critical and 23 are "medium" injuries, which includes a flight attendant, Kittikachorn said. There are nine minor injuries, with an additional 16 injuries described by Kittikachorn as “minimum.”
Thirty passengers are being held at the airport to continue to Singapore.
“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,” Singapore Airlines said in a statement.
“We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance. A Singapore Airlines team is on the way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.
Eyewitness reports from people aboard the aircraft allege that the plane seemed to tilt up, before plunging down. On the way down, witnesses said people on the flight were thrown into the ceiling of the airplane, hitting some of the cabin storage areas.
The aircraft had a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.