Malaysian Cabin Crew Member from Turbulence-Affected Singapore Airlines Flight to Undergo Spinal Surgery
![Malaysian Cabin Crew Member from Turbulence-Affected Singapore Airlines Flight to Undergo Spinal Surgery](https://cdn.thepaperbreak.com/images/20240523-spinal-airline.webp)
Nine Malaysians were injured aboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, which encountered severe turbulence and made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday, 21 May.
According to Bernama, the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok is assisting the nine out of 16 Malaysians who were on the flight.
Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel stated that the injured were admitted to two separate hospitals in Bangkok and are currently receiving treatment.
One of the most severely injured is a 32-year-old Malaysian cabin crew member who underwent two surgeries on Tuesday for head, minor spinal, and leg injuries.
Jojie reported that the crew member is in critical but stable condition and is expected to undergo another spinal surgery today, 23 May, as reported by The Star.
Meanwhile, the other eight Malaysians are in stable condition.
"The other eight Malaysians, who are suffering from fractured ribs, neck pain, dizziness, and minor injuries, are currently under observation in normal wards at both hospitals while awaiting medical results," he told Bernama.
Six Malaysians are being treated at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, and three at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.
Jojie said consular officers will continue to monitor their conditions and provide further assistance if needed.
The flight, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, was traveling from London to Singapore when it encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin, approximately 10 hours into the 13-hour journey.
A passenger who spoke to Reuters described how the turbulence caused those not wearing seatbelts to hit the overhead cabins.
"I saw people from across the aisle just going completely horizontal, hitting the ceiling and landing back down in really awkward positions.
"The crew and people inside lavatories were hurt the most... There were a lot of spinal and head injuries," Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old Malaysian student, told Reuters.
The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, landing at 3:45 pm local time on Tuesday.
A 73-year-old British man died in the incident.
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