Singapore Airlines Ltd. said one person was killed and several others injured after a flight from the U.K. to Singapore encountered severe turbulence in the skies over Asia and was forced to make an emergency landing.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER,” the carrier said in a statement. “We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.”
The widebody aircraft with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board was traveling from London Heathrow and diverted to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after encountering the turbulence. Unverified photos posted on social media showed food and other loose items strewn across the cabin floor. The aircraft took off from London at 10:38 pm local time on Monday, according to FlightRadar24.
Fatalities are extremely rare in incidents of turbulence, especially at cruising altitudes. The airline hasn’t yet provided details of the accident. Carriers routinely caution passengers to keep their seat belts fastened even when they have been switched off as unforeseen turbulence may occur.
The aircraft operating flight SQ321 was 16 years old, and is one of Singapore Air’s 23 777-300ERs. Boeing didn’t immediately have a comment on the incident.
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