VIDEO: Turbulent Tragedy: Passenger Dies and 30 Injured on Singapore Airlines Flight
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A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore faced a horrific ordeal on Tuesday when it hit severe turbulence, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to 30 others. The sudden turbulence caused chaos within the cabin, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok.
A Morning Turned Nightmare
The flight, which had been smooth for nearly ten hours, encountered a violent air pocket over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar while breakfast was being served. The turbulence was so intense that it flung passengers and crew around the cabin, causing severe injuries and structural damage inside the aircraft. According to Kittipong Kittikachorn, the general manager of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, the turbulence occurred just before the pilots declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok.
Video:
HOLY SH*T
A plane hit severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight and was forced to make a rapid 7,000 ft descent ??
? THIS IS WHY YOU ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT ? pic.twitter.com/hVEREq47PW
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) May 21, 2024
Graphic Scenes of Destruction
Photographs from inside the Boeing 777-300ER revealed significant damage: overhead panels were torn, oxygen masks dangled from the ceiling, and personal belongings were scattered everywhere. A passenger recounted the horrifying moment when heads hit the ceiling lights, piercing the panels. “I saw items strewn all over and many crew members injured,” Kittikachorn stated, describing the scene after the most seriously wounded were evacuated.
Tragic Loss and Injuries
Among the passengers, a 73-year-old British man succumbed, likely due to a heart attack amid the chaos. Seven others suffered severe injuries, including head traumas. Despite the ordeal, passengers remained remarkably calm during the evacuation, Kittikachorn noted. Singapore Airlines extended their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and apologized for the traumatic experience endured by everyone on board.
Conflicting Injury Reports
While initial reports varied, it was confirmed that 18 individuals required hospitalization, with six in critical condition. The Samitivej Hospital alone treated 71 passengers. The lack of immediate clarity in the sequence of events, as indicated by a spokesperson from FlightRadar 24, compounded the confusion surrounding the incident. Data showed the aircraft sharply ascending and then returning to cruising altitude within a minute, which aligned with the reports of severe turbulence.
Investigations and Safety Concerns
The turbulence-related accident highlights the dangers of such incidents, which are the most common cause of non-fatal air accidents, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Despite Singapore Airlines’ stellar safety record, this event underscores the unpredictable nature of turbulence. The airline, Boeing, and Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau are collaborating to investigate the incident. The aviation community awaits further details to understand how this tragic event unfolded and to enhance future safety protocols.
