After that horrifying incident on a flight from London to Singapore, Singapore Airlines (SIA) decided to implement some changes in its safety procedures. The plane encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one passenger’s death and over 100 passengers were injured.
The incident occured on May 21st, involved flight SQ321 . Passengers and crew members experienced heavy turbulence within the cabin, causing severe injuries like skull fracture and spinal cord damage. Everything happened so sudden that many couldn’t even fasten their seatbelts in time.
The plane carrying over 200 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, Thailand. At Least 48 to 50 passengers with serious injuries are still receiving treatment there.
As a result of this incident, Singapore Airlines has announced a “more cautious approach” to manage turbulence. Which includes suspending both meal and hot beverage services whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated. The airline highlights passenger and crew safety as their top most priority and says they will continue reviewing their safety procedures.
Investigators from the US and Singapore are currently in Thailand to uncover the cause of the turbulence. Air safety experts believe passengers often overlook the importance of wearing seatbelts, putting them at high risk during unexpected turbulence. Additionally, scientists indicate climate change as one of the reasons contributing to an increase in “clear air turbulence,” which is not even detectable by bar and can be treacherous.
The acuteness of the injuries has surprised the medical professionals. The director of the Bangkok hospital treating most of the injured passengers said his staff had never seen such life threatening injuries caused by turbulence.
One passenger shared his terrifying experience. His wife suffered a severe spinal cord injury and lost the senses below her waist. Narrating the horrific incident he said “ it was absolute carnage and happened instantly”. He emphasized the lack of warning and rapid shift from being in their seats to hitting the ceiling of the plane.
Photos taken inside the plane after landing in Bangkok reveal the utter chaos. From food, drinks to luggage everything was scattered throughout the cabin, with oxygen masks hanging loose.
Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased passenger, a 73 year old British man named Geoffrey Kitchen. Mr. Goh also apologized for the “traumatic experience” endured by all those onboard the flight.
