Singapore Airlines Flight from London to Singapore Plummets Mid-Air Over Myanmar, Causing Severe Injuries and One Fatality

On Monday night, passengers aboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 were anticipating a pleasant trip.

The 211 passengers, hailing from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Ireland, settled in for the 13-hour flight to Singapore.

Among them was 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, a musical theatre director from Gloucestershire, embarking on a six-week holiday with his wife Linda to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Australia.

Unexpected Turbulence

The Boeing 777 took off from Heathrow Airport at 10:38 pm, smoothly crossing the English Channel and Europe.

As it traversed the Hindu Kush mountain range and moved into India, passengers began to relax.

However, after 11 hours in the air, the plane encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar around 3:30 pm local time.

Chaos in the Cabin

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The turbulence struck suddenly, causing the plane to lurch and tilt upwards.

The fasten seatbelt sign was either not on or had just been illuminated, leading to chaos as the aircraft dropped hundreds of feet within 90 seconds.

Passengers without seatbelts were thrown into the ceiling, luggage fell from overhead bins, and loose items became dangerous projectiles. Oxygen masks deployed as the pilots fought to stabilize the aircraft.

Injuries and Medical Emergency

Many passengers suffered injuries, with broken bones and head wounds. Geoffrey Kitchen collapsed from a suspected heart attack during the turmoil.

The cabin was in disarray, with blood and belongings scattered.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and requested an immediate landing in Bangkok. Passengers performed CPR on Kitchen and helped the injured as the plane descended.

Aftermath in Bangkok

The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport just before 4 pm local time. Shaken passengers were assisted off the aircraft by paramedics, with 71 people sent for treatment, six seriously injured.

The scene at the airport was described as chaotic, with more than a dozen ambulances on standby. Passengers shared their harrowing experiences, describing the sudden turbulence and lack of warning.

Reactions and Tributes

Geoffrey Kitchen tragically passed away despite efforts to save him. His friends and family, including neighbor Steve Dimond, expressed their shock and sorrow.

Singapore Airlines confirmed the emergency landing and Kitchen’s death, offering condolences and assistance to affected passengers.

Singapore’s President and Transport Minister also expressed their sadness and support.

Expert Opinions

Aviation experts noted that severe turbulence, while rare, can lead to significant injuries and fatalities. They emphasized the importance of keeping seatbelts fastened throughout flights.

Marco Chan, an aviation operations lecturer and former pilot, explained that navigating thunderstorms can be challenging due to airspace restrictions and the extent of storm clusters.

Passenger Nationalities

The passengers on the flight included 56 Australians, 47 Britons, 41 Singaporeans, 23 New Zealanders, and individuals from several other countries.

Singapore Airlines and the Singaporean government pledged support and assistance to all those affected by the incident.

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