Passenger dies, 30 others injured during ‘severe turbulence’ on long-haul flight

One person died and at least 30 others were injured after a Singapore Airlines flight experienced “severe turbulence” during a transcontinental trip, the airline said Tuesday.

The flight, SQ 321, was on a journey from London to Singapore, a journey which typically takes around 13 hours. The plane diverted to Bangkok and landed at 3:45 a.m. local time (4:45 a.m. ET) Tuesday.

Eighteen people were hospitalized and 12 others are receiving medical treatment, the airline said. The rest of the passengers and crew were being examined at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn told a news conference that the person who died was a 73-year-old British man, probably following a heart attack, Reuters reported. Seven other people suffered serious head injuries.

“Singapore Airlines extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” the company said. “We deeply apologize for the traumatic experience our passengers and crew members endured on this flight.”

There were 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board the Boeing 777-300ER, according to the airline. Kittikachorn said the plane fell into an air pocket during breakfast service before entering turbulence.

Data from FlightAware, which tracks flights in real time, indicates the plane experienced a drastic drop in altitude after about 11 hours in the air, losing about 6,000 feet in four minutes as it plunged to 31,000 feet relative to its cruising altitude of 37,000 feet. The plane diverted to Bangkok shortly after.

Singapore Airlines has consistently been ranked among the safest airlines in the world. Around the world, severe turbulence has already caused numerous flight injuries – and at least one death – over the past year. At least one recent study suggests that clear-air turbulence, associated with wind shear, is becoming more prevalent due to climate change.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com