Summary

  • 20 injured passengers from the Singapore Airlines flight remain in ICU, some with severe brain and spinal injuries requiring surgery.
  • Passengers from the flight reported a harrowing experience due to the extreme turbulence; casualties included one heart attack and multiple injuries.
  • The airline has provided updates on the situation, deployed staff for care, and has transported family members of injured passengers to Bangkok.

Twenty passengers remain in intensive care following the extreme turbulence onboard a Singapore Airlines flight on Monday. While none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, the most severe spinal and brain injury cases require surgery.

Many Singapore Airlines passengers remain in ICU

As per a Reuters report, a hospital official confirmed on Thursday that 20 injured passengers remain in intensive care in Bangkok’s Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital after Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 diverted to Bangkok following Monday’s harrowing turbulence ordeal. Initially, over 100 passengers and crew were taken to the hospital for treatment after diverting to Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), but the number is now down to 46 passengers and two crew.

Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, Director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, said,

“The number of patients in ICU remains the same. The meaning of those in ICU are those that need close attention.”

While noting that none of the patients have life-threatening injuries, a total of 22 passengers have spinal cord damage and another six suffered brain and skull injuries. Of the passengers in critical care, there are six British, six Malaysian, three Australians, two Singaporeans, and one individual each from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

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Singapore Airlines Turbulence Incident, Here’s What We Know

The one casualty was likely due to a heart attack.

Doctors have said that it is too early to determine if any patients will suffer permanent paralysis – during the extreme turbulence event, scores of passengers not wearing seatbelts were thrown around the cabin, many slamming into the roof with such force that they dented or pushed through the overhead panels. The youngest patient is a two-year-old with a concussion, and the oldest is 83. By Thursday, 17 patients had undergone surgery for their injuries, which were described as successful.

Airline updates

The carrier has posted several updates to its social media accounts. The latest, Update 7, confirms the number of passengers and crew still in the hospital to be at 48. The airline has deployed customer care representatives, while Singapore Airlines CEO Mr Goh Choon Phong flew to Bangkok personally to meet with injured passengers, crew and families.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER

Santi Rodriguez | Shutterstock

Goh Choon Phong said,

“The well-being of our passengers and crew members remains our priority. I have given them my personal assurance that we will take care of them during this difficult time. Our staff volunteers are here to provide each passenger with updates and the necessary assistance. We have also facilitated the travel of their family members and loved ones to Bangkok and ensured that they are taken care of too.”

Related

Singapore Airlines CEO Apologizes For “Traumatic Experience” Of Passengers On Turbulent Flight

Singapore Airlines has apologized for, and is working through, a dramatic air turbulence incident resulting in one death and multiple injuries.

A relief flight with 143 passengers and crew finally made it to Singapore on Wednesday morning – since then, several more passengers have boarding flights to Singapore. As of the airline’s latest update, 65 passengers and two crew members remain in Bangkok.

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