Four Irish citizens on board Singapore flight which hit severe turbulence

By Cate McCurry, PA

Four Irish people were on board a Singapore Airlines flight from London in which one person died and many others were injured when the plane hit severe turbulence.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that four Irish citizens were on the flight, but it is not yet known whether they were among the many injured people.

A department spokeswoman said: “We are aware that four Irish citizens were on board.

“The Embassy is in close contact with the relevant Thai authorities and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”

A spokesman for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the flight was diverted to, said a 73-year-old man who died on the flight suffered a suspected heart attack.

He added that seven other people were seriously injured, with dozens more suffering minor injuries.

Singapore Airlines said the flight encountered “sudden extreme turbulence” over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000 feet about 10 hours after departure, with the pilot declaring a medical emergency and diverting the plane to Bangkok.

A spokesman for the airline said 18 people were hospitalised, with a further 12 requiring treatment in hospital.

The remaining passengers and crew were being examined and given treatment, where necessary, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

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

The nationalities of the passengers were 56 from Australia, two from Canada, one from Germany, three from India, two from Indonesia, one from Iceland, four from Ireland, one from Israel, 16 from Malaysia, two from Myanmar, 23 from New Zealand, five from the Philippines, 41 from Singapore, one from South Korea, two from Spain, 47 from the United Kingdom, and four from the United States of America.

The airline said in a statement: “Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

“We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight. We are providing all necessary assistance during this difficult time.

“We are working with our colleagues and the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary assistance. A Singapore Airlines team is on its way to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.

“SIA is working with the relevant authorities on the investigation into this incident.

“We will also provide regular updates on our Facebook and X.”