58 of the passengers injured when Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence en route from London to Singapore yesterday are still being treated in hospital, including 20 who are in intensive care units (ICU), according to a statement from Bangkok’s Samitivej Srinagarind Hospital today.
Yesterday, 103 passengers were taken to Samitivej Srinagarind, Samitivej Sukhumvit and Bangkok hospitals and the Samitivej Suvarnabhumi Clinic, 27 of whom have already been discharged.
Nine injured passengers required urgent surgery at Samitivej Srinagarind Hospital and their conditions are now stable. Five more are undergoing surgical procedures at the same hospital today.
Passengers who have been admitted to hospital are of various nationalities, including 14 Britons, nine Australians, seven Malaysians, three New Zealanders, six Filipinos, two Singaporeans and one each from Hong Kong, the United States, Ireland, South Korea, Myanmar and Spain.
The Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 reportedly encountered sudden Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), which is usually severe and happens without warning. The aircraft lost nearly two kilometres in altitude in under three minutes.
Most of the passengers who were seriously injured were not wearing their seat belts.
