SAMUT PRAKAN, May 21 (TNA) – Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, traveling from Heathrow to Changi, made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand due to severe turbulence, resulting in one death and multiple injuries, said Airport’s Director.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), stated that the emergency landing occurred at 15:51 local time.
The turbulence incident over Thai airspace caused injuries and the death of a 73-year-old British man who reportedly had a heart condition. The flight carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members.
Upon receiving the emergency landing request, Suvarnabhumi Airport’s security center immediately dispatched medical teams to provide assistance according to emergency protocols. Injured passengers and the deceased were transported to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital.
There were a total of 69 injuries in the incident.
- 7 passengers were critically injured.
- 23 passengers sustained moderate injuries.
- 9 crew members sustained moderate injuries.
- 30 passengers sustained minor injuries. 16 of these passengers were taken to the hospital, while the remaining 14 were treated in the holding area.
Passengers ready to fly were accommodated at the airport while awaiting further travel to Singapore. A replacement aircraft from Changi Airport is expected to arrive in Thailand around 21:45-22:00.
Mr. Kittipong mentioned that there were no known Thai nationals on the flight, which carried passengers of various nationalities. The cabin was in disarray, likely due to meal service during the turbulence.
He spoke with several passengers who confirmed they were wearing seatbelts, but it is unclear if the deceased was similarly restrained as his wife was taken to the hospital.
The Civil Aviation Authority will investigate the pilots within the next hour to confirm the cause, which is presumed to be turbulence.
Airport operations at Suvarnabhumi continue unaffected by the incident. -819 (TNA)
