Singapore Airlines releases statement as passenger dies after turbulence on UK flight

Singapore Airlines has issued a statement following the death of a passenger on-board a flight from London.

The flight, which left the UK on Monday for Singapore, had to make an emergency landing in Thailand after the aircraft experienced extreme turbulence. There were 211 passengers and 18 crew onboard when it flew through the airspace in the region on Tuesday afternoon.

The area is currently experiencing extreme tropical thunderstorms.

A spokesperson for the airline said today: "Singapore Airlines flight, 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."

The plane registered 9V-SWM was diverted to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok where it made an emergency landing shortly before 4pm local time. It had been scheduled to land at the Singapore Changi Airport at 6.10pm local time.

Ambulances were pictured on the tarmac next to the plane. Further details about the deceased passenger, including their age and gender, have yet to be disclosed at this early stage.

Heavy rain was forecast for the region yesterday and today, and meteorologists expected it to be thundery at times. This can lead to difficult conditions for aircraft but Singapore Airlines is yet to comment on what may have caused the extreme turbulence, which led to the emergency landing.

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