Harrowing footage shows ambulances race towards the runway after a passenger of a Boeing 777 died and several others were injured following severe turbulence.
One ambulance with blue lights on dashes across a road, forcing cars and a bus to stop as it makes its way to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, where the plane had to make an emergency landing this afternoon. A procession of emergency vehicles is seen quickly following and the footage soon cuts to the runway, where ambulances are parked ready for the arrival of the plane.
Despite best efforts of the paramedics, one passenger was pronounced dead at around 3.45pm local time. Others are injured, Singapore Airlines said in a statement. The 211 passengers and 18 crew had left London Heathrow Airport last night, though the nationality of the deceased tourist has not been disclosed at this stage.
When flight #SQ321 entered airspace in the region, which is currently experiencing extreme tropical thunderstorms, it encountered extreme turbulence at around 37,000 feet. Tracking data captured by FlightRadar24 showed the Singapore Airlines flight sharply pitched down to 31,000 feet over the span of some three minutes.
The aircraft stayed at 31,000 feet for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour. Unverified claims circulating on social media suggest the Singapore Airlines flight dropped 6,000ft due to an "air pocket".
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Multiple emergency service vehicles are seen rushing to the runway (NEWSFLARE)Other videos, taken by tourists inside the airport and shared on X, show several emergency service vehicles, each with their sirens on, surround the plane after it landed. Another purportedly shows three ambulances bluelight casualties to hospital in Bangkok. The nature and extent of injuries have not yet been made clear.
An image snapped inside the Singapore Airlines cabin shows in-flight meals dashed all over the cabin floor after the plane experienced extreme turbulence.
Rishi Sunak has issued a statement on the "distressing" news of the Singapore Airlines incident. His spokesman said: "Obviously these are very distressing reports. Our thoughts are with the families of anyone injured or killed."
Ambulances wait beside the plane after its emergency landing (ViralPress)
The Singapore Airlines jet encountered difficulty after leaving London Heathrow (ViralPress)A spokesperson for the airline said today: "Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 21 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route. The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time.
"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. 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. We will provide regular updates on our Facebook and X accounts."
Two British Airways cabin crew suffered broken legs when a flight from Singapore to Heathrow was affected by severe turbulence over the Bay of Bengal on June 28 last year.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said "unsecured cabin crew were thrown around in the cabin", resulting in two crew members being seriously injured and three sustaining minor injuries. No passengers were hurt and the plane returned to Singapore.
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