CurrentReport Blog Singapore Airlines announced on Tuesday that one passenger has tragically died following severe turbulence aboard a flight from London to Singapore. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, encountered extreme turbulence mid-flight, resulting in a rapid descent and an emergency diversion to Bangkok.
The incident occurred as the flight was cruising at 37,000 feet (11,300 meters) over the Andaman Sea, approaching Myanmar. Tracking data from FlightRadar24 analyzed by The Associated Press revealed that just after 0800 GMT, the aircraft sharply pitched down to 31,000 feet (9,400 meters) within approximately three minutes. The plane remained at that altitude for nearly 10 minutes before descending further to land in Bangkok at 3:45 p.m. (0845 GMT).
Upon landing, emergency crews were on standby to assist injured passengers amid stormy weather conditions. The Singapore Airlines flight, which began its journey from London, had to be diverted to Bangkok due to the severity of the turbulence encountered.
Singapore Airlines addressed the incident in a Facebook post, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and extending their condolences to the family of the deceased passenger. The airline also acknowledged the efforts of the crew and emergency responders in handling the situation.
Severe turbulence, while rare, poses significant risks to flights. This tragic event underscores the importance of always wearing seatbelts when seated, as unexpected turbulence can occur even during seemingly calm flight conditions.
Singapore Airlines has launched an investigation into the incident, working closely with aviation authorities to understand the circumstances that led to the severe turbulence and subsequent emergency landing.
