Singapore Airlines passenger is killed and multiple others injured as turbulence hits UK flight and forces it to divert to Bangkok

A passenger died and others were injured on a flight from London to Singapore today when extreme turbulence forced an emergency landing in Thailand.

The Boeing 777 plane operated by Singapore Airlines left the UK on Monday evening at 22.17pm local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

However, flight SQ321 reportedly experienced severe turbulence while entering airspace in the region, which is currently being battered by extreme tropical thunderstorms.

The plane – registered 9V-SWM – was diverted to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok where it made an emergency landing at 15.45pm local time, the airline announced in its Facebook page.

It had been scheduled to land at the Singapore Changi Airport at 6.10pm local time.

This flight tracker showed the plane’s route from London before diverting to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

Flight tracking websites showed flight SQ321 diverting from its planned route to Singapore and instead landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok

In a statement on Facebook (pictured), Singapore Airlines confirmed the emergency landing

Photos were posted on social media by accounts claiming to show the aftermath of the emergency landing. One (left) purportedly showed food strewn across the floor, while another (right) was said to show the ambulances on the tarmac at the airport

This picture posted to social media purportedly shows emergency staff working at the airport after the plane made an emergency landing

Ambulances were pictured on the tarmac next to the plane.

Thailand’s 3PlusNews reported that emergency responders were at the scene.

Local media reported that one passenger had died and around 30 others were injured, leading to the emergency landing.

It was not immediately clear where the person who died in the incident was from.

In a statement on Facebook, Singapore Airlines confirmed the emergency landing and that one passenger had died in the incident.

‘Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route,’ the statement from the airline said. ‘The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time.

‘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,’ it said.

‘Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

‘Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft,’ the statement added.

We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow…