Singapore Airline: 40 people hospitalized after facing turbulence flight

• 17 people underwent operations at the hospital, nine of which were related to spinal injuries.
• The two-year-old child is being treated for concussion.
• The Boeing 777-300, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, experienced an emergency landing in the Thai capital.

Hospital authorities in Bangkok have reported that a two-year-old child is among those receiving treatment after a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence. The director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital provided an update on the conditions of the injured, stating that 40 people are still hospitalized, with half of them in intensive care. The majority of the injured are suffering from spinal injuries.

Adinun Kittiratanapaibool stated that one person has been discharged. Severe turbulence on Tuesday during Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man, Geoff Kitchen, and injured dozens of others. It is believed that Mr. Kitchen died of a heart attack.

Out of the 41 individuals - including those currently hospitalized and one who has been discharged - there were 22 cases of spine and spinal cord injuries, six cases of skull and brain injuries, and 13 cases of muscular and soft tissue conditions. Dr. Kittiratanapaibool reported that seventeen people have undergone operations at the hospital, nine of which were related to spinal injuries.

He said the two-year-old was being treated for concussion. Among those receiving treatment in the hospital, there are 10 British, nine Australians, seven Malaysians, and four Filipinos. Dr. Kittiratanapaibool mentioned that the oldest patient is 83 years old.

The Boeing 777-300, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members onboard, encountered severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday. Passengers on the airliner reported feeling the plane drop suddenly and witnessing others who were not wearing their seatbelts being "launched immediately into the ceiling." The flight had to make an emergency landing in the Thai capital.

An aircraft carrying the remaining passengers and crew arrived in Singapore early on Wednesday. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong apologized, offering his “deepest apologies to everyone affected” by the “sudden extreme turbulence”.

“We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through,” he added.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who was one week into the role when the incident occurred, has pledged to conduct a "thorough investigation" into the incident.

"My deepest condolences once again to the family and loved ones of the deceased. I also hope and pray that those who are injured will recover and return home soon," he said.

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