Singapore Airlines (SIA) has implemented new seatbelt rules and altered at least one flight route following a severe turbulence incident that resulted in the death of a passenger and the hospitalization of dozens more. The incident forced the plane to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Turbulence Terror!
According to official reports, a Singapore Airlines flight traveling from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British man, possibly due to a heart attack triggered by the turbulence. Seven others sustained serious injuries, including head trauma. Thankfully, most passengers remained calm during the evacuation.
Eighteen individuals required hospitalization, with Singapore Airlines dispatching a team to assist them. The airline expressed its deepest condolences to the deceased’s family and apologized for the ordeal passengers and crew endured.
Also read: Did You Know? Airplanes Have Horns That Serve An Essential Ground Purpose, Just Like Cars
The turbulence occurred while flight attendants were serving breakfast when the plane encountered an air pocket. The sudden drop prompted the pilots to request an emergency landing. In a statement to an international media outlet, SIA announced a “more cautious approach to managing turbulence in-flight.”
The revised policy includes suspending meal service whenever the seatbelt sign is on. Additionally, cabin crew will secure all loose items and equipment during adverse weather conditions and will continue advising passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened.
In response to the incident, SIA has adjusted its flight path for routes between London and Singapore, avoiding the region of Myanmar where the turbulence occurred. Instead, flights now traverse the Bay of Bengal, as shown by flight tracking data from Flightradar24.
Also read: PIA On The Verge Of Shutdown, Cancels More Than 300 Flights Due To Fuel Shortage
Images from inside the aircraft revealed significant damage, including gashes in the overhead compartments, dislodged panels, and scattered luggage. Passengers reported injuries from objects falling and heads hitting overhead fixtures.
What do you think of the story? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more latest news.
