One dead and many injured after severe turbulence on flight from London Heathrow

At least one person has died and many more were injured when a flight from London to Singapore was hit by severe turbulence.

The Singapore Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing. Around 30 people were injured and one person reportedly died.

Flight tracking data suggests that shortly after crossing the Bay of Bengal, the plane descended 6,000 feet in just three minutes.

As of 2:03 p.m., 18 people had been taken to hospital and 12 others were being treated there, the airline said. The person who died was a 73-year-old British man who the airline believes suffered a heart attack.

The plane, a Boeing 777, left the British capital at 10.17pm on Monday, but it was hit by turbulence over the Andaman Sea, an area currently being hit by extreme tropical thunderstorms, and was diverted to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Landing at Singapore Changi Airport was scheduled for 6:10 p.m.

In a statement published on X, Singapore Airlines said: “Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, flying from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route. The aircraft was diverted to Bangkok and landed at 15:45 local time on 21 May 2024.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. A total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on board.

“Singapore Airlines extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

“Our priority is to provide all passengers and crew on board the aircraft with all possible assistance. We are working with local authorities in Thailand to provide any necessary medical assistance and are sending a team to Bangkok to provide any further assistance needed.

“We will provide regular updates on our Facebook and X accounts.”

Singapore’s Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the government was providing assistance to passengers and the families of those affected.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the incident on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore,” he said in a statement on social media.