One person died and several were injured after a Singapore-bound flight from London Heathrow encountered severe turbulence, the airline said.
"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER," the airline said in a post on Facebook and social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Eighteen individuals have been hospitalised, the airline operator said in a separate post on Facebook, adding that another 12 are being treated in hospitals. "The remaining passengers and crew are being examined and given treatment," it said.
There were a total of 211 passengers, including three Indians and 18 crew on board, the airline said. "Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance," Singapore Airlines said.
Ambulances wait to carry passengers from a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday. (Source: PTI)
Fatalities are exceedingly uncommon in cases of turbulence, especially during cruising altitude, which is regarded as the most stable phase of the flight.
Airlines regularly advise passengers to keep their seat belts fastened even when the seat belt signs are turned off, as unexpected turbulence can still happen.
Approximately 240 incidents of severe turbulence were reported to European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE between 2014 and 2018, Bloomberg reported citing a briefing document on the phenomenon, adding that the injuries to passengers and crew occurring on 30% of long-haul flights where such events were reported.
A 2023 study conducted by Reading University revealed that clear-air turbulence, which is imperceptible, has escalated due to climate change, Bloomberg report said.
Although the most substantial increase was observed over the US and North Atlantic regions, routes traversing Europe, the Middle East, and the South Atlantic have also experienced notable rises in turbulence, the report added.
With inputs from Bloomberg News.
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