20 passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight are still in intensive care. The injuries caused by the turbulence are serious – according to the clinic, many now need back surgery.
After severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight, many of the injured require spinal surgery. According to a spokesman for the Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in Bangkok, other hospitals have now been asked to support the operations.
The hospital’s director, Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, said it was too early to say whether patients would remain paralyzed. However, none of the patients are in mortal danger.
According to the AP news agency, the hospital treated more than 100 people injured on the flight. Of these, 20 people are still in intensive care. The most seriously injured are six Britons, six Malaysians, three Australians, two Singaporeans and one person each from Hong Kong, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Scenes of horror on board
The Boeing 777 encountered severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday on its way from London to Singapore. Passengers reported scenes of horror. 43-year-old Malaysian Amelia Lim told the newspaper Malay Mail that she found herself face down on the ground. There was blood everywhere. Her seatmate was lying motionless on the ground and unable to move.
Briton dies on board
A 73-year-old Briton died on board – possibly of a heart attack. The plane eventually had to land in Bangkok.
It is unclear why the turbulence occurred. London-based tourism and aviation expert Anita Mendiratta said extreme turbulence like the current one was “extremely unusual”.