More than 20 people hurt on turbulent Singapore Airlines flight have spinal injuries, hospital says

CNN —

Of the dozens of people hurt Tuesday during turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London, more than 20 have suffered spinal injuries, according to a Bangkok hospital that treated some ofthe passengers.

Adinun Kittiratanapaibool, director of the Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital in the Thai capital, told reporters on Thursday that it is treating 22 patients with spine and spinal cord issues, six with skull and brain injuries, and another 13 for bone, muscle or soft tissue complaints.

The doctor added that 17 patients had undergone surgery, including procedures like suturing to spinal operations.

Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore was cruising at 37,000 feet on Tuesdaywhen the plane dropped sharply before climbing several hundred feet, according to flight tracking data. It then repeated to dip and ascend for about a minute.

Many passengers were having breakfast at the time of the incident. Video and images from inside the aircraft after its emergency landing in Bangkokshowed the extent of the damage, with overhead compartments smashed open and emergency oxygen air masks dangling above the seats.

A photo of one galley showed a section of the ceiling open with parts of the plane’s interior hanging down. Trays, containers, plastic bottles and hot beverage pots can be seen strewn across the floor.

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SG321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer

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After the incident, the plane – which was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew – was diverted to Bangkok, where ambulances and