After a rare incident of extreme turbulence, most of the passengers onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 have returned to Singapore. Around 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived in Singapore via a relief flight, these passengers were received by Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong. However, the remaining 79 passengers and 6 crew members from SQ321 are still in Bangkok, these include those receiving medical care.

American aerospace manufacturer Boeing in a statement said, “We are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one, and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew.”

The Singapore Airlines CEO Phong in a video statement apologised for the rare incident. Phong said, “Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, operating from London Heathrow to Singapore, encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The flight had 211 passengers and 18 crew members.”
“The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Bangkok, landing at 3.45 pm local time. We are deeply saddened by this incident. It has resulted in one confirmed fatality, and multiple injuries. On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through. Our priority is to render all possible assistance to our passengers and crew members.”

Flight SQ321 is a Boeing 777-300 ER that plunged 6,000 feet in a matter of just three minutes. The aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet and sharply descended towards 31,000 feet, which resulted in multiple injuries and the death of a British citizen, on Tuesday, May 21. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 3:45 pm (local time).

Singapore Airlines also revealed the nationalities of the passengers on board. Of the total 211 passengers, three are from India, 56 from Australia, two from Canada, Spain, Indonesia, Myanmar; one each from Iceland and Israel, Germany, South Korea; four from Ireland, 16 from Malaysia, 23 from New Zealand, five from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 47 from the United Kingdom and four from the US.

The Singapore Airlines CEO extended his condolences to the family and loved ones of the passenger who died in the incident.  “We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through. Our priority is to render all possible assistance to the passengers and crew members,” he said.

Relatives seeking information regarding passengers can dial Singapore Airlines hotline numbers — +65 6542 3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom).

The airline said it will continue to provide updates on social media platforms Facebook and X.

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