Passenger describes moment plane hit severe turbulence that left one dead and 30 injured

A passenger has described the moment the plane he was on hit severe turbulence that left one passenger dead and 30 reportedly injured.

The Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, which departed from London, was forced to divert to Bangkok, Thailand, after experiencing severe turbulence. It landed at 15:45 local time (08:00 GMT) today (21 May).

The aircraft left the UK on 20 May a little after at 22.17 local time, according to flight tracking data.

The horrific ordeal left one passenger dead and 30 reportedly injured. (X/@JoanValls)

According to FlightRadar 24 data, the plane rapidly dropped from an altitude of around 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within just five minutes.

The plane then requested permission to make an emergency landing at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok before touching down a little before 4.00pm local time.

Reports state that several ambulances were seen on the tarmac preparing to treat passengers following the ordeal.

Singapore Airlines released a statement to social media on the matter, reading: "Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route.

"The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024.

"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board."

The aircraft plane dropped from an altitude of around 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within just five minutes. (Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The statement continued: "Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

"Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.

"We will provide regular updates on our Facebook and X accounts."

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport official was able to confirm one death from the horrific incident but could not confirm the total amount of passengers and staff injured.

Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student on board the flight, told Reuters: "Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.

"Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it."

According to the National Weather Service, turbulence occurs due to friction between the air and the ground, especially irregular terrain and man-made obstacles, which causes eddies and therefore turbulence in the lower levels.