Ambulances wait to carry passengers from a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The plane apparently plummeted for a number of minutes before it was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. - AP
BANGKOK (Bernama): Airports of Thailand (AOT) has been ordered to provide assistance and facilitate the passengers and crew of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, which made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) earlier on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister of Thailand, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, said he has instructed the AOT to provide assistance and facilitate the passengers and crew of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321.
"I was informed by the AOT that at 3.35pm today, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Security Centre was notified by air traffic control about SQ321 from Heathrow to Changi, Singapore, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, (that) requested an emergency landing at BKK due to injuries and fatalities on board.
"The cause for the emergency landing was due to severe weather and turbulence while flying over Thai airspace," he said in a statement here today.
He said one foreign passenger was reported dead and the number of injured is being confirmed.
Suriya said the deceased and other injured passengers have been taken to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital for further treatment.
"It is expected that a flight from Changi will arrive in Thailand at approximately 9.45 pm and BKK officers will facilitate the passengers for their onward journey to Singapore," he said.
He also urged all aviation agencies and airlines to emphasise the highest safety standards due to the current weather conditions and heavy rain in some areas.
Meanwhile, in an immediate response, BKK said it has dispatched a medical team to the scene to assess the injuries and provide assistance to the injured passengers after the flight landed around 3.51pm.
It said the airport has also activated its emergency plan for in-flight emergencies and is in the process of transporting the injured passengers to the hospital for further treatment.
"For passengers with minor or no injuries, Suvarnabhumi Airport has arranged a waiting area for passengers inside the terminal building. Suvarnabhumi Airport staff are working with the airline to look after and facilitate passengers while they wait for their onward travel to Singapore," it said. - Bernama
