KUALA LUMPUR – A Singapore Airlines (SIA) relief flight has brought 143 passengers onboard the SQ321 flight, which was diverted to Bangkok yesterday after hitting severe turbulence, to Singapore this morning.
SIA chief executive officer Goh Choon Phon said in a video message that the relief flight also took crew members who were able to travel and safely landed in Singapore at 5.05am.
Another 79 passengers and six crew remain in Bangkok, including those receiving medical treatment as well as their family members who travelled with them.
SIA dispatched a team to Bangkok last night, hours after SQ321 made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport after hitting air turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin about 10 hours after its departure from London.
The Boeing 777-300ER was at an altitude of 37,000ft and plunged 6,000ft within five minutes. It was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew. Sixteen Malaysians were onboard the SQ321 flight.
A British man, 73, died on the flight while more than 70 other passengers were injured, with many suffering head lacerations from being thrown upwards during the turbulence.
“The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm, local time.
“SIA dispatched a team to Bangkok last night to support our colleagues on the ground. A relief flight was sent to take 143 passengers and crew who were able to travel and landed in Singapore this morning at 5.05am,” Goh said in the video posted on SIA’s social media platforms.
He also apologised for the incident, which resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
“On behalf of SIA, I express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone onboard SQ321 went through. Our priority is to render all possible assistance to passengers and crew.
“Please be assured that SIA is here to support and help you during this difficult time,” Goh said, also urging relatives of passengers seeking information to call the airlines at +65-6542-3311 (Singapore), 1800-845-313 (Australia), and 080-0066-8194 (the United Kingdom). – May 22, 2024