A 73-year-old man from Britain died and dozens of people were injured after a Singapore Airlines plane encountered sudden extreme turbulence about 10 hours into a flight from London to Singapore. The Boeing 777-300ER was diverted to Bangkok, where it landed, and 71 people, including passengers and crew members, were injured. Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok reported that six of the injured were in serious condition, with victims from a variety of nationalities being treated. The remaining passengers and crew received medical examinations and treatment at the airport.
The man who died aboard the flight was not identified, but his wife was injured and taken to a hospital. The flight, SQ321, had taken off from Heathrow with 211 passengers and 18 crew members. Turbulence was encountered over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar at 37,000 feet, and the plane quickly descended to 31,000 feet before the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the flight to Bangkok. About 100 uninjured passengers were to be flown to Singapore the following day, with the rest being in a state of shock. The cause of the turbulence was not immediately known.
Deaths caused by turbulence are rare occurrences, with the last documented incident involving a passenger on a United Airlines flight in 1997. Recent research has linked the incidence of turbulence to climate change, specifically noting rising carbon dioxide emissions that affect air currents. Pilots have advised passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened, even in periods of calm air. The pilot of the Icelandic airline Play recounted a severe turbulence experience from two decades ago, emphasizing the importance of seatbelt use.
Singapore’s Minister for Transport expressed his condolences over the incident, and Singapore Airlines apologized for the traumatic experience suffered by passengers and crew. Investigations into the cause of the turbulence were to be carried out by Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, with support from the National Transportation Safety Board from the United States. The flight crew and passengers were being evaluated and treated, while efforts were being made to assist the injured with necessary care.
The aircraft landing in Bangkok and the aftermath were described as chaotic, with hospital officials treating the injured passengers from various nationalities. The rapid descent of the plane due to turbulence was noted, suggesting that the atmosphere had become unstable. Turbulence is often unpredictable, particularly at high altitudes, and the severity can vary. The risk of turbulence has been linked to climate change, with research indicating a rise in its occurrence due to elevated carbon dioxide emissions.
The rare incident of turbulence causing a fatality highlights the potential dangers that passengers and crew can face during flights. Clear-air turbulence, as experienced by the pilot in the past, can occur suddenly and without warning. The importance of seatbelt usage and passenger safety measures during flight was underscored by the event, with authorities and airline officials expressing their sympathy for those affected. As investigations into the incident continue, the aviation industry remains vigilant in ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals onboard flights.
