Tragedy struck on a London-Singapore flight as a 73-year-old British man died with more than 30 others injured due to a severe turbulence.
The Singapore-bound Boeing 777-300ER was diverted to Bangkok, making an emergency landing at 15:45 local time (08:45 GMT).
It was reported by the passengers that the aircraft suddenly dropped while people and objects were thrown around the cabin.
The flight was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew, Singapore Airlines said.
It offered its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, who has yet to be named.
“I was covered in coffee,” Andrew from London told BBC 5 Live. “During the few seconds of the plane dropping, there was an awful screaming and what sounded like a thud.”
Andrew said once the turbulence had settled, he had been able to help a woman “screaming in agony” who had a “gash on her head.”.
Andrew says passengers are being kept in a special part of the airport in Bangkok.
“I will get on another flight; these are very rare occurrences,” he said.
Another passenger told Reuters news agency that the aircraft suddenly started “tilting up and there was shaking.”.
“So I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop, so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelts was launched immediately into the ceiling,” 28-year-old student Dzafran Azmir said.
“Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented them; they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through them.”
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Also, the airline said 31 people who were on board the plane had been taken to the hospital.
“The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment where necessary at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.”
The statement added that the airline was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers.
In addition, it was sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional help needed.
Thai authorities have dispatched ambulances and emergency teams to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Singapore’s Transport Minister, Chee Hong Tat, said the government would provide assistance to the passengers and their families.
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“I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore,” he posted in a statement on Facebook.
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