At least more than 30 other people have been injured and a 73-year-old British man has died after severe turbulence rocked a Singapore Airlines flight from London.
According to local authorities, the Singapore-bound Boeing 777-300ER was diverted to Bangkok, making an emergency landing at 15:45 local time (08:45 GMT).
Passengers stated that the aircraft suddenly dropped – and people and objects were thrown around the cabin.
Singapore Airlines stated that the flight was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members. The airline offered its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, who have yet to be named.
“I was covered in coffee,” Andrew from London told BBC 5 Live. “During the few seconds of the plane dropping there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud.”
Andrew further disclosed that once the turbulence had settled he had been able to help a woman “screaming in agony” who had a “gash on her head”.
He also pointed out that passengers are being kept in a special part of the airport in Bangkok.
“I will get on another flight, these are very rare occurrences,” he said.
Another passenger told Reuters news agency that the aircraft suddenly started “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,” 28-year-old student, Dzafran Azmir, said.
“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.”
According to the airline, 31 people who were on board the plane had been taken to hospital.
It said: “The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment where necessary at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.”
The statement also disclosed that added that the airline was working with Thai authorities to give medical assistance to passengers, and was sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional help needed.
Singapore’s Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat, reacting, stated that the government would provide assistance to the passengers and their families.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore,” he posted on Facebook.
