One Dead and At Least 71 Injured After Severe Turbulence Hits Singapore Airlines Flight

One Dead and 71 Injured as Severe Turbulence Hits Singapore Airlines Flight**

A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday, resulting in one passenger's death and injuries to 71 others. The turbulence struck the Boeing 777-300ER about 10 hours into its journey, midway through meal service, as it flew over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok.

Passenger Andrew Davies, traveling to New Zealand for business, described the flight as "perfectly normal" until the turbulence hit. "The plane just felt like it dropped," Davies told s Erin Burnett. He recounted seeing personal items and meal service items flying through the cabin and the chaos that ensued.

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21. 

Reuters

A 73-year-old British man, later identified as Geoff Kitchen, died from a suspected heart condition. Kitchen had worked with the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group for over 35 years and was remembered for his honesty and integrity. The British Foreign Office is supporting his family.

Note: Usual route shows the same route flown on May 19, 2024.

Sources: FlightRader24, Singapore Airlines

Graphic: Lou Robinson,

Images and videos from inside the aircraft showed extensive damage, including smashed overhead compartments and emergency oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling. Trays, containers, and beverage pots were strewn across the floor.

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on May 21. 

Reuter

The Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok treated the injured passengers, including six with severe injuries. Among those injured were citizens of Malaysia, the UK, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and Ireland. Some sustained broken arms.

Flight SQ321, which left London's Heathrow Airport around 10:30 p.m. local time, was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3:45 p.m. local time. Following the emergency landing, nearly 200 passengers awaited onward flights, and a Singapore Airlines plane later departed Bangkok for Singapore with 131 passengers.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed condolences and apologized for the traumatic experience. "We are providing all possible assistance and support to the passengers and their families," he said.

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport is investigating the incident, with support from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

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The severe turbulence, likely caused by rapidly developing thunderstorms over southern Myanmar, reflects a broader trend. A study from the University of Reading predicts an increase in clear-air turbulence due to climate change, especially along busy flight routes.

This incident adds to a series of turbulence-related injuries in recent years, including seven injured on a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Sydney in July 2023 and 36 injured on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Arizona to Honolulu in December 2022.

Boeing has stated it is in touch with Singapore Airlines and ready to provide support, deferring further questions to the airline and local authorities.

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