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Singapore’s prime minister has promised a “thorough investigation” after a British man died and dozens were injured during extreme turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London.
Members of Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) were dispatched to Bangkok to formally investigate the sudden turbulence that hit Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on Tuesday.
A 73-year-old British man died during the incident, identified as Geoff Kitchen. Bangkok’s Samitivej Hospital said in a statement on Wednesday that as of lunchtime local time there were 20 passengers in intensive care. Nine patients had surgery on Tuesday and a further five were expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
“The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau under the ministry of transport will conduct a thorough investigation,” Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a social media post on Wednesday.
The National Transportation Safety Board, the US government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation, said in a statement on Tuesday it would also send a representative and advisers to help aid Singapore’s investigation, as the incident involved US company Boeing.
The agency said it has “long been concerned about turbulence-related accidents and incidents” in the social media post.
Boeing said it is in touch with the Singaporean carrier and is “ready to support them”.
Flight SQ321, which left London on Monday, diverted to Bangkok and landed on Tuesday afternoon after experiencing “sudden extreme turbulence” while flying over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar. There were 211 passengers and 18 crew on board the Boeing 777.
Turbulence is a growing problem for airlines, and the leading cause of injuries on board passenger planes. It is expected to worsen because of climate change.
Singapore Airlines has not provided details on whether the aircraft flew into storms or if the problems were caused by “clear air turbulence”, which occurs in seemingly calm conditions. Passengers were being served breakfast at the time of the turbulence and have described chaotic scenes of bodies and items being flung about the cabin.
In a statement on Wednesday morning the airline said a relief flight carrying 131 passengers and 12 crew members who were on board the SQ321 flight had arrived at Changi Airport from Bangkok.
Transportation to their homes or hotel accommodation was arranged for passengers travelling to Singapore, while those with onward connections were rebooked on alternative flights.
Another 79 passengers and six crew members from SQ321 remain in Bangkok. This includes those receiving medical care, as well as their family members and loved ones who were on the flight.
Tributes have poured in for Kitchen, a father of two who was travelling with his wife.
“My deepest condolences once again to the family and loved ones of the deceased. I also hope and pray that those who are injured will recover and return home soon,” Wong said.
