Four Irish citizens on board Singapore flight which hit severe turbulence
It is not yet known whether they were among the many injured people on the flight.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four Irish people were on board a Singapore Airlines flight from London in which one person died and many others were injured when the plane hit severe turbulence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that four Irish citizens were on the flight, but it is not yet known whether they were among the many injured people.
A department spokeswoman said: “We are aware that four Irish citizens were on board.
“The Embassy is in close contact with the relevant Thai authorities and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
A spokesman for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the flight was diverted to, said a 73-year-old man who died on the flight suffered a suspected heart attack.
He added that seven other people were seriously injured, with dozens more suffering minor injuries.
Singapore Airlines said the flight encountered “sudden extreme turbulence” over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure, with the pilot declaring a medical emergency and diverting the plane to Bangkok.
A spokesman for the airline said 18 people were hospitalised, with a further 12 requiring treatment in hospital.
The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.
The nationalities of the passengers were 56 from Australia, two from Canada, one from Germany, three from India, two from Indonesia, one from Iceland, four from Ireland, one from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, two from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, five from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, one from South Korea, two from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and four from the United States of America.
We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight
The airline said in a statement: “Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
“We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.
“We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance. A Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.
“SIA is working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident.
“We will also provide regular updates on our Facebook and X.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.