British passenger dies on Singapore Airlines flight after 'severe turbulence'

ISTANBUL

At least one passenger of British origin was killed and many others injured after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to the Southeast Asian city-state encountered "severe turbulence," the company said on Tuesday.

It said flight number SQ321, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members from Heathrow Airport to Singapore on Monday, "encountered severe turbulence en-route."

It said that the aircraft diverted course to Thailand's capital Bangkok, where it landed at 3.45 p.m. local time (0845GMT).

"We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER," said the carrier.

The company said: "18 individuals have been hospitalized. Another 12 are being treated in hospitals."

Bangakok's Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Kittipong Kittikachorn identified the deceased as a 73-year-old British man.

His demise was "likely due to a heart attack, while head injuries were sustained among seven people critically injured," Kittikachorn said, according to daily Bangkok Post.

"The plane looks okay from outside but it is mess inside," he added.