A 73-year-old British man has been killed and seven others are fighting for their lives after a Singapore Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing due to “sudden, extreme” turbulence.
The Boeing 777-300ER plane was en route to Singapore from London carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew when it made the emergency landing in Bangkok, the airline said in a statement.
Thai airport officials said a 73-year-old British man with a suspected heart condition had died and dozens more injured, some critically, as flight tracking data showed the flight had plummeted 6,000 feet in a matter of minutes.
Video clips shared on social media by reporters at the scene showed emergency vehicles lined up at the airport.
Singapore Airlines has not suffered a fatality since October 2000, when a plane crashed on a closed runway during takeoff in Taiwan and 83 people died.
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US NTSB to send advisors to support probe into Singapore Airlines flight
The US National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday it will send an accredited representative and four technical advisors to support Singapore’s investigation into a severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines Flight 321.
Under an international aviation treaty, the NTSB can take part as a representative since the plane was built by Boeing . The investigation will be led by the Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau.
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 19:46
Watch: Passengers carried out on stretchers from Singapore Airlines flight
Passengers carried out on stretchers from Singapore Airlines flight after turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London hit severe turbulence on Tuesday 21 May, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. Footage captured by an eyewitness showed damaged overhead cabins and injured passengers being carried out by stretchers after flight SQ321 landed. A 73-year-old British man has died, while a further 18 people have been hospitalised. The flight from Heathrow – bound for Singapore – fell into an air pocket while cabin crew were serving breakfast, prompting the pilots to request an emergency landing, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said.
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 19:00
Four Irish citizens on board Singapore flight which hit severe turbulence
Four Irish people were on board a Singapore Airlines flight from London in which one person died and many others were injured when the plane hit severe turbulence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that four Irish citizens were on the flight, but it is not yet known whether they were among the many injured people.
A department spokeswoman said: “We are aware that four Irish citizens were on board.
“The Embassy is in close contact with the relevant Thai authorities and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 18:29
Singapore Airlines team from Singapore arrives in Bangkok
A Singapore Airlines team from Singapore has arrived in Bangkok.
In an update issued on Tuesday evening, the airline said: “A Singapore Airlines team from Singapore has arrived in Bangkok to support our colleagues and the local authorities on the ground. We are providing all possible assistance to the passengers and crew on board SQ321, both at the hospital and the airport.”
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 18:12
Watch: Injured passengers treated on airport tarmac
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 18:06
UK Foreign Office responding to emergency landing of flight
The UK Foreign Office is responding to the emergency landing in Bangkok of the Singapore Airlines flight.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are responding to the emergency landing in Bangkok of a Singapore Airlines flight and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 17:37
Singapore will be probing incident
Singapore will be probing the incident after a Singapore Airlines plane hit severe turbulence.
Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) will be deploying investigators to Bangkok, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 17:35
Watch: Inside Singapore Airlines flight after British man dies following severe turbulence
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 17:00
‘Accidents of this nature are extremely rare,’ reassures UK Civil Aviation Authority
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has offered reassurance that “accidents of this nature are extremely rare” after a 73-year-old British man died on board a flight in severe turbulence.
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Our deepest condolences go out to all those who have been affected.
“Accidents of this nature are extremely rare and aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel.”
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 16:55
Downing Street issues statement on incident after British passenger dies
Responding to reports that a British passenger has died and many others were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow hit severe turbulence, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected, including with that individual’s family.”
The Foreign Office is understood to be on the ground to provide support and work with local authorities.
Tara Cobham21 May 2024 16:33