In a rare incident, a passenger was killed and 71 others suffered injuries due to severe turbulence on a flight from London to Singapore. The death has been confirmed by Singapore Airlines.
Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier of Singapore, with its hub located at Changi Airport, and a member of the Star Alliance. The airline is notable for highlighting the Singapore girls as its central figure in the corporate branding segment, and not significantly changing its livery throughout its history. Widely renowned as one of the world’s best carriers, the airline is ranked as a 5-star airline as well as ranked as the world’s best airline by Skytrax in 2024, 2007, 2018, and 2023.
The incident you are referring to involves a British Airways flight, not Singapore Airlines. The turbulence incident occurred on a British Airways Boeing 777-300ER flight from Singapore to London. Thislfigt experienced severe turbulence over the Bay of Bengal, causing injuries to five crew members and distress among passengers at 30,000 feet.
The turbulence led to crew members sustaining injuries like a dislocated ankle, concussions, and severe bruising, with one crew member requiring surgery. Passengers were emotionally shaken, and the flight had to return to Singapore for medical treatment and further assessment of the aircraft.
Singapore Airlines operated a predominantly widebody fleet, until the second reintroduction of the Boeing 737 in March 2021 following the merger with SilkAir. The airline also operates 747-400F and Boeing 777F fighters. As of December 2023, there were 159 aircraft registered in the Singapore Airlines fleet, comprising 147 passenger aircraft and 12 freighters.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, the director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said the passenger who died was a 73-year-old British man, according to news agency AFP. Most of the injuries were caused by blows to the head, KIttipong said.
Bangkok’s Samitivaj Srikarin Hospital said 71 people had been sent for treatment, six of whom suffered injuries. Offering its condolence to the family of the person who died, the airline said, “We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing. Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. 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.”
Experts said such injuries usually happen when passengers are not wearing a seatbelt and the pilot has not been able to give an advanced warning because information from the weather radar does not indicate any turbulence. In such cases, passengers can be thrown around in the cockpit, which may lead to injuries,
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