3 Indians among passengers aboard London-Singapore flight hit by turbulence

Three Indian nationals were among the 229 people aboard the Singapore Airlines flight that encountered a sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37000 feet on Tuesday reported PTIThe traumatic incident in which the aircraft descended 6000 feet in about three minutes left a 73yearold British man dead and more than two dozen other passengers injuredThe British man who was not yet identified likely died from a heart attack the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport Kittipong Kittikachorn saidSingapore Airlines SIA flight SQ321 operating from London Heathrow to Singapore on May 20 encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37000 feet about 10 hours after departure the carrier saidThe pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok and landed on May 21 We can confirm that there were multiple injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777300ER aircraft the carrier said in a Facebook postA total of 18 individuals had been hospitalised Another 12 were being treated in hospitals The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment where necessary at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok Singapore Airlines saidThere were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board it saidThe nationalities of the passengers are as follows 56 from Australia 2 from Canada 1 from Germany 3 from India 2 from Indonesia 1 from Iceland 4 from Ireland 1 from Israel 16 from Malaysia 2 from Myanmar 23 from New Zealand 5 from the Philippines 41 from Singapore 1 from South Korea 2 from Spain 47 from the United Kingdom and 4 from the United States of AmericaAuthorities have not released details of the injured passengers and crew or their nationalitiesSingapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flightWe are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance it saidSingapore Airlines was using a 16yearold 777 model for the SQ321 service hit by severe turbulenceA Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed SIA is working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incidentRelatives seeking information may call the Singapore Airlines hotlines at 65 6542 3311 Singapore 1800845313 Australia and 08000668194 the United Kingdom the carrier saidSingapores new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended his condolences to family members and loved ones of the deceasedHe added that Singapore is working closely with the Thai authorities and iquestdoing everything we can to support the passengers and crewWe pray for their safe return and smooth recovery for those who are injured We are still getting more information from Bangkok and will provide further updates in due course he saidUS aircraft manufacturer Boeing extended its condolences to the family of the British man who died aboard SQ321 a Boeing 777300ERWe are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them Boeing said on XWith light and moderate turbulence passengers might feel a strain against their seatbelt and unsecured items could move around the cabin But in severe cases turbulence can throw passengers around the cabin causing severe injuries and occasionally death CNN reportedWith inputs from PTI