Singapore Airlines flight live: Briton killed in turbulence as seven fight for life

The UK Foreign Office is responding to the emergency landing in Bangkok of the Singapore Airlines flight.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are responding to the emergency landing in Bangkok of a Singapore Airlines flight and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Singapore will be probing the incident after a Singapore Airlines plane hit severe turbulence.

Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) will be deploying investigators to Bangkok, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has offered reassurance that “accidents of this nature are extremely rare” after a 73-year-old British man died on board a flight in severe turbulence.

A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Our deepest condolences go out to all those who have been affected.

“Accidents of this nature are extremely rare and aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel.”

Responding to reports that a British passenger has died and many others were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow hit severe turbulence, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected, including with that individual’s family.”

The Foreign Office is understood to be on the ground to provide support and work with local authorities.

Even seasoned fliers can, at times, get spooked by the mid-flight bumps and shakes, though in reality the vast majority of cases will be nothing more serious than a jiggle to your in-flight meal.

Turbulence is the worst part of flying for many people. Though it’s a phenomenon that happens surprisingly regularly, it can often be alarming – one that can strike fear into even the most seasoned flyers.

Turbulence is defined by the US National Weather Service as a phenomenon that is “caused by abrupt, irregular movements of air that create sharp, quick updrafts and downdrafts” that “occur in combinations and move aircraft unexpectedly”.

Some 47 passengers who were on board the terrifying Singapore Airlines flight are from the UK, the airline has said.

There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

In an update issued on Tuesday afternoon, the airline said the nationalities of the passengers are as follows: 47 from the UK, 56 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Germany, 3 from India, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Iceland, 4 from Ireland, 1 from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, 2 from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, 5 from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, 1 from South Korea, 2 from Spain, and 4 from the US.

The diverted Singapore Airlines flight hit “sudden extreme turbulence” over the Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure, the airline has said.

The pilot subsequently declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Bangkok, landing at 3.45pm local time, it added in an update issued on Tuesday afternoon.