Dramatic videos captured by passengers and circulated on social media show the chaos that ensued as the turbulence hit.
Reuters
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Singapore Airlines made global headlines following a tragic incident of severe turbulence that resulted in the death of a passenger. The turbulence struck a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft approximately 10 hours into its flight, while it was traversing the skies above Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin.
Dramatic videos captured by passengers and circulated on social media show the chaos that ensued as the turbulence hit. Passengers and crew members were violently thrown around the cabin, with carry-on baggage and personal belongings strewn across the floor.
The plane just felt like it dropped. It probably only lasted a few seconds but I remember vividly seeing shoes and iPads and iPhones and cushions and blankets and cutlery and plates and cups flying through the air and crashing to the ceiling. The gentleman next to me had a cup of coffee, which went straight all over me and up to the ceiling.
According to CNN, the unexpected turbulence caught the flight mid-air, creating a terrifying experience for those on board. Despite efforts to secure the cabin and attend to the injured, one passenger succumbed to the injuries sustained during the incident. Reports are indicating that at least 71 people have suffered various levels of injury, and a 73-year-old British man has died in the incident from a suspected heart condition.
Further details are awaited as investigations continue. Singapore Airlines is cooperating fully with aviation authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent inquiry.
