Over 20 Suffer Head and Spinal Injuries After Extreme Turbulence on Singapore Airlines

CNN reports over 20 afflicted flyers remain in care for a range of head, brain, and spinal injuries at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok.

Total of Over 30 Still Hospitalized with Injuries From Flight

According to doctors at the hospital, 22 patients are still in inpatient care for spine or spinal cord concerns, while six have brain or skull injuries. Among them, 17 needed surgeries for their injuries. The exact condition of the flyers was not immediately released. An additional 13 flyers are being treated for issues related to bone, muscle, or tissue damage.

Of the 104 passengers who were treated in the country for their injuries, a total of 55 currently remain hospitalized. No additional passengers have passed as a result of their traumas, leaving the current death toll at one.

As a result of the incident, the flag carrier is making some changes to their in-flight policy. According to Reuters (citing Singapore broadcaster Channel News Asia), flight attendants will no longer serve hot beverages or meals when the seat belt light is on in the cabin. In addition, they have changed the flight path for future flights from the one Singapore Flight 321 traveled. The new route from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) will not go over Myanmar, but instead fly over the Andaman Sea.

Singapore Flight 321 was forced to make an emergency landing on May 21, 2024, after experiencing a severe turbulence event.

Singapore Airlines has not publicly commented about the changes.

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Feature image courtesy: Pete Macklin/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 DEED