At least eight Australians are in hospital after deadly mid-air turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight out of London forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in Bangkok.
A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and 30 other passengers were injured when the flight hit severe turbulence 10 hours into the flight, flinging people around the cabin.
There were 56 Australians onboard among the 211 passengers and 18 crew.
“Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok are providing consular assistance to eight Australians taken to hospital in Bangkok,” a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.
“The Australian Embassy in Bangkok and the Australian High Commission in Singapore continue to make inquiries to confirm if any further Australians are affected.”
The flight hit an air pocket and dropped suddenly while on its way to Singapore from London.
The pilot requested an emergency landing in Bangkok.
People’s heads slammed into the lights above seats, breaking some of the panels, Reuters reported.
The airline offered its condolences to the family of the man who died and apologised for the “traumatic experience’ passengers and crew suffered.
