(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
One person is dead, and dozens are reportedly injured after severe turbulence impacted a Singapore Airlines flight.
According to CNN, the airline confirmed the casualty and injured flyers on Tuesday, May 21. The outlet reports that an early morning flight from London to Singapore “encountered severe turbulence.”
Additionally, the flight, which included 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was reportedly diverted to Bangkok as a result.
CNN reports that it has been confirmed that a 73-year-old British man passed away. Meanwhile, another 30 individuals are reportedly being treated in a hospital or completely hospitalized.
“As of 1950hrs Singapore time on 21 May 2024, 18 individuals have been hospitalised. Another 12 are being treated in hospitals,” CNN reports, as an update from Singapore Airlines. “The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.”
According to the outlet, as of Tuesday afternoon, the hospital where passengers are being cared for has reported that at least 71 people were injured.
In addition, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the president of Singapore, has issued a statement expressing his grief for those impacted by the incident.
“I am greatly saddened by the loss of a life caused by the severe turbulence on board the SQ321 flight from London earlier today and the injuries caused to several others,” he wrote via Facebook. “My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We must hope and pray that the passengers or crew members who were injured are able to recover smoothly. We do not have the details of those affected, but know that the government ministries and agencies, as well as SIA, are doing their utmost to support all those affected and working with the authorities in Bangkok, where the plane had been diverted to.”
As recovery efforts ensue for some passengers aboard the Singapore Airlines flight, multiple alleged clips and photos of the incident have been shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Additionally, X users have taken to the platform to share their astonishment and prayers for those impacted.
As The Shade Room previously reported, it appears air travel incidents have become frequent in recent times. In January, an Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing after a window was blown out mid-air, per The Shade Room.
At the time, the aircraft and its passengers were reportedly making their way from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. Additionally, the flight was prompted to make the landing just six minutes after takeoff.
In addition to the Alaska Airlines flight, four additional incidents impacted miultiple aircrafts within the month of January.
