48 Singapore Airlines SQ321 Passengers and Crew Still Hospitalised In Bangkok
BANGKOK, May 24 (Bernama) -- A total of 48 patients from Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321, which was diverted to Bangkok while en route to Singapore from London after encountering extreme turbulence on Tuesday, are still being treated at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, and Bangkok Hospital.
A statement from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital indicated that by noon on Friday, there were still 34 patients being cared for at Srinakarin, 12 at Sukhumvit, and two at Bangkok Hospital.
“Six patients were allowed to be discharged from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital today (Friday),” the statement said.
The remaining ones currently hospitalised at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, according to nationality, are nine Australians, seven British, seven Malaysians, three Filipinos, two New Zealanders, and one each from the United States of America, Myanmar, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, and Spain.
The seven Malaysians who are still admitted at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital include a cabin crew member of SQ321, while three other Malaysians are at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.
Flight SQ321, with 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was travelling from London to Singapore when it encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet, approximately 10 hours after departure.
The pilot declared a medical emergency, and the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was diverted to Bangkok, landing at 3.45 pm local time on Tuesday.
The incident resulted in one death and multiple injuries. Suvarnabhumi Airport director Kittipong Kittikachorn stated yesterday that the only fatality was a 73-year-old British man.
In the wake of the incident, SIA has implemented enhanced safety measures including the suspension of meal service and requiring crew members to remain seated when the seat belt sign is on, as part of a more cautious approach to managing in-flight turbulence.
Meanwhile, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital director Dr Adinun Kittiratanapaibool was quoted by local media as saying that the majority of the patients at the hospital are suffering from spinal and spinal cord injuries, skull injuries, and various bone and muscle injuries.
"Many surgeries have been performed since last Tuesday, including spine surgery, thoracic spine surgery, and repairs of torn wounds, with some patients receiving palliative treatment," he said.
-- BERNAMA
