One person tragically lost their life on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore due to severe turbulence, the airline confirmed on Tuesday. The Boeing 777-300ER had to divert to Bangkok as a result.
According to a post on the Singapore Airlines Facebook page, the flight encountered severe turbulence, leading to several injuries among passengers. The airline did not specify the exact number of injuries but mentioned that there were 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board. The flight landed safely in Bangkok at 3:45 p.m. local time (4:45 a.m. ET) on Tuesday.
Singapore Airlines stated, “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.” The airline emphasized its priority of providing all possible assistance to passengers and crew, and extended condolences to those affected.
Understanding Turbulence
Turbulence happens when an aircraft flies through air currents moving at different speeds. Light to moderate turbulence might cause passengers to feel a strain against their seatbelts and unsecured items to shift within the cabin. Severe turbulence, however, can throw passengers around, potentially leading to serious injuries or even death.
Past incidents highlight the dangers of severe turbulence. In March 2023, a former White House official died due to turbulence on a private jet. Just days earlier, seven people were hospitalized after a commercial flight experienced severe turbulence. Further incidents in July 2023 and December 2022 involved Hawaiian Airlines flights, resulting in multiple injuries and hospitalizations.
A study published in September 2022 predicts an increase in clear-air turbulence globally between 2050 and 2080, especially along the busiest flight routes. This study suggests that the strongest types of turbulence will see the most significant increases.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
