SINGAPORE — One person died after a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, the carrier said on Tuesday (May 21).

According to Thai authorities, the deceased was a 73-year-old British man. Another seven people were critically injured. 

A total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on board the Boeing 777-300ER, SIA said in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening.

SQ321, which left London's Heathrow Airport at 10.38pm local time on Monday, was diverted to Bangkok on Tuesday. It landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3.45pm local time (4.45pm Singapore time).

As of 7.50pm (Singapore time), SIA said that 18 people were hospitalised while another 12 people were receiving treatment at hospitals.

The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at the airport. .

An SIA team was also on the way to Bangkok to provide additional assistance.

"Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft," said SIA.

"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."

Photos sent by a CNA reader show what appear to be scenes from SQ321. The photos show passengers clutching the armrests on their seats and the aircraft galley floor strewn with meal containers.

In a separate Facebook post, SIA advised people who are at Changi Airport to receive SQ321 passengers to proceed to any information counter for assistance.

Singapore’s Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the incident onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London Heathrow to Singapore,” he said in a Facebook post.

He added that the authorities and SIA staff are providing support to the affected passengers and their families.

CNA has reached out to SIA for more information. CNA