By Blessing Nweke
Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Goh Choon Phong, issued a heartfelt apology following a tragic incident on Tuesday when flight SQ321 from London to Singapore was struck by “severe extreme turbulence,” claiming one life and injuring numerous passengers. The flight was compelled to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand, as the turbulence rattled the aircraft, causing it to drop over 6,000 feet in just three minutes.
As of now, 79 passengers and six crew members remain in Bangkok, undergoing medical treatment for their injuries, while the remaining passengers and crew have safely returned to Singapore after boarding a relief flight.
Mr. Goh expressed profound sympathy to the family of the victim and assured that the airline would extend all possible support to those affected. The incident occurred when the aircraft was over the Indian Ocean, approximately 10 hours into its journey and flying at an altitude of 37,000 feet over the Irrawaddy Basin.
Among the passengers, 73-year-old British national Geoff Kitchen tragically succumbed to a suspected heart attack during the flight. Reports indicate that Mr. Kitchen and his wife were en route to Singapore for a holiday. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes of passengers being flung around the cabin, sustaining injuries ranging from concussions to deep gashes.
Passengers injured in such incidents may be eligible for compensation under the Montreal Convention, although the amount could vary based on circumstances, including passenger compliance with safety measures.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and assured full cooperation with Thai authorities in the investigation. Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau will lead the inquiry into the matter.
Despite this rare incident, Singapore Airlines maintains a strong safety record, with the last fatal accident occurring in 2000. The airline consistently ranks among the world’s safest carriers, reflecting its commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on providing support to the affected individuals and their families while ensuring measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
Nweke Blessing is a graduate of the English language with over 3 years of experience in news writing, copywriting, content, and technical writing. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of yourNEWS. (Note: Articles may not be original content. Reference byline for original source.)