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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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A 73-year-old British man has died after a Singapore Airlines flight was hit by turbulence, forcing it to divert to Bangkok.
Authorities said the man very likely died of a heart attack, adding that seven other people are in a critical condition following turbulence.
The man was travelling with his wife. Her condition is unclear.
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Officials said 23 passengers were injured in the incident, as well as nine crew members. Fourteen people have been sent to hospital with minor injuries.
In a statement, the airline said Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 15:45 p.m. local time after encountering "severe turbulence" en route.
"Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en route," the statement read. "The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time," it continued."
"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased."
It was not immediately clear where the person who died in the incident was from or how they died.
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Data from Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft plunged more than 6,000 feet in less than three minutes, falling to 31,000 feet after cruising at 37,000 feet.
The aircraft then stayed at 31,000 feet for just under 10 minutes before rapidly descending and landing in Bangkok in just under half an hour.
Pictures posted to social media from inside the aircraft showed the floor of the plane covered in food from the impact of the turbulence.
The Boeing 777 aircraft left the UK from London Heathrow Airport on Monday evening at 10:17 p.m. local time, flight-tracking data showed, before requesting permission to make an emergency landing in Thailand.
It had been scheduled to land at the Singapore Changi Airport at 6.10 p.m. local time.
Several ambulances were reportedly seen on the tarmac preparing to treat passengers.
Singapore Airlines said they were "working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance," and were sending a team to Bangkok to provide additional assistance.
"Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew onboard the aircraft", they added.
Singapore's Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident.
"I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore," he said.
"Ministry of Transport, Singapore, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport officials as well as SIA staff are providing support to the affected passengers and their families. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased," the statement added.
The Aviation Safety Network has recorded seven incidents for Singapore Airlines, last logging fatalities for one of the company's flights in October 2000, when 83 people were said to have died.
Fatalities caused by turbulence are very rare.
Update 5/21/2024 7:46 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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