A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over the Andaman Sea earlier this week, resulting in 104 people being injured and one British man losing his life. The incident left 20 people in intensive care, with several requiring spinal surgery, according to a Bangkok hospital.
The Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where most of the injured were treated, has called on specialists from other local hospitals to assist in the treatments. Hospital director Adinun Kittiratanapaibool stated that none of the patients in ICU were in life-threatening condition, but 22 people were left with spinal injuries.
Passengers on the flight described the chaos and terror they experienced as the aircraft shuddered, items flew around the cabin, and injured individuals lay paralyzed on the floor. One passenger, Amelia Lim, recounted finding herself face down on the floor surrounded by bleeding individuals.
Authorities in Thailand reported that the British man who died may have suffered a heart attack during the turbulence. The hospital director mentioned that 17 surgeries had already been performed, with more planned for the remaining injured individuals.
Severe turbulence is considered rare but can be extremely dangerous, as demonstrated by this incident. Experts advise passengers to follow safety instructions, keep seatbelts fastened, and secure belongings to prevent injuries during flights. The investigation into the exact cause of the turbulence is ongoing, as the aviation industry aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.