Pictures from the plane hit by turbulence so severe a man was killed show debris strewn across the cabin, collapsed panels, and blood smeared on the ceiling
Pete Syme
- A man died and dozens of others were injured due to turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight.
- Pictures released by the airport in Bangkok show the emergency medical response.
A 73-year-old British man died, and 71 others were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight was hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday.
Flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi had to divert to Bangkok. The airline said the Boeing 777 "encountered sudden extreme turbulence" in Myanmar airspace, 10 hours into the flight.
It added that 18 people were hospitalized, and a further 12 were being treated in hospitals. 80 people are still in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care and their families or loved ones, according to the airline.
Images shared by passengers and news agencies show the terrifying aftermath of the incident, with damage to the cabin ceiling, items strewn about the galley, and blood smeared across various parts of the plane, including on the ceiling.
The plane was met by airport officials and medical teams at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The airport said medical teams, and fire and rescue teams, were immediately sent to the plane, "in accordance with the emergency plan."
One person was pictured being carried off the plane on a stretcher.
Several ambulances attended to the Boeing 777 at the airport. 18 people were hospitalized, and another 12 were treated at hospitals.
"Very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing a seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling," Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on board the flight told Reuters.
The damage saw panels and oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling.
More damage was apparent in the galley, with tubes coming out of the ceiling.
Meals, bottles, and serving jugs were strewn across the galley floor.
131 passengers and 12 crew members have since arrived in Singapore after the diversion. They were met by Singapore Airlines' CEO and onward transport to homes or hotels was arranged by the carrier.
In a statement, the Bangkok airport said: "Suvarnabhumi Airport would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased from the severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight."
“On behalf of the Singapore Airlines Board, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our passenger who passed away," said the airline's chairman, Peter Seah.
"I assure all passengers and crew members who were on board the aircraft that we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time," he added.
"I also wish to express my gratitude to everyone in Singapore, Thailand, and around the world who are assisting those affected by this incident."
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