A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday due to severe turbulence. One passenger has died, and local media reported multiple injuries.
The flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members. After approximately 11 hours of flying, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence while descending from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet over the Andaman Sea. The sudden drop caused unbuckled passengers to hit overhead cabins.
Dzafran Azmir, a passenger on board, described the chaos, noting that many passengers were thrown into the ceiling, hitting and damaging overhead baggage compartments. He recounted how the turbulence caused immediate panic and injuries among those not wearing seatbelts.
Thai media reported around 30 injuries, though Singapore Airlines did not confirm this number. An official from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport confirmed one death but could not verify the total number of injured. Thai immigration police stated that medical personnel boarded the plane to assess injuries, while uninjured passengers disembarked safely.
Singapore Airlines released a statement emphasizing their priority to assist all passengers and crew. The airline is cooperating with local authorities in Thailand to provide necessary medical assistance.
The airline, known for its high standards and safety record, has not experienced any major incidents in recent years. The last fatal accident involving Singapore Airlines occurred on October 31, 2000, when a flight crashed in Taipei, resulting in 83 deaths.
According to a 2021 study by the National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence is the most common cause of airline accidents. Between 2009 and 2018, turbulence accounted for over a third of reported airline accidents in the U.S., typically resulting in injuries but no aircraft damage.
The unexpected turbulence and emergency landing highlight the critical importance of wearing seatbelts during flights. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of turbulence, even on flights operated by reputable airlines like Singapore Airlines.
With Inputs From Reuters
