03:52
One dead and dozens injured after Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence
One dead and dozens injured after Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence
Thai authorities have said most of the injuries involved the head or spine, and more than a dozen people needed surgery. Singapore Airlines has since introduced tighter cabin restrictions during turbulence, though stopped short of compelling passengers to wear seat belts for the whole flight.
The airline said it’s cooperating fully with authorities investigating the incident, which left one man dead. The plane made an emergency landing in Bangkok.
Passengers on the flight said at least one crew member was flung into the air as the aircraft suddenly lost altitude, according to RTE News. One man recalled the plane dropping for several seconds, sending food flying around the cabin, while others described a sense of panic and fear on the plane.
Qatar Airways Flight QR017 from Doha was met by emergency fire and rescue services on arrival shortly before 1pm local time, Dublin Airport said in a statement. Six passengers and six crew members reported injuries.
One passenger told RTE News that the seatbelt sign wasn’t lit when the Boeing Co. 787 hit turbulence. Some of the crew were left with scratched faces, while one person had their arm in a sling, one female passenger said.
While death and serious injury from turbulence is rare, research indicates that global warming will make such events more common. Climate change is leading to more turbulence because changes in wind speed at different altitudes are becoming more extreme, according to a study by meteorologists at the University of Reading.
Qatar Airways said in a statement that those injured on the flight are receiving medical attention and the incident is the subject of an internal investigation. “The safety and security of our passengers and crew are our top priority,” the airline said.