13 Australians are among 80 people from flight Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 still in a Bangkok hospital

There are still 13 Australians being treated in a Bangkok hospital, including three in intensive care, following an extreme turbulence incident on a Singapore Airlines flight from London.

Passengers were stretchered off flight SQ321 after a severe turbulence event that left one man dead and dozens of others seriously injured.

Thirteen Australians who were on board Singapore Airline’s flight SQ321 are among 80 people who remain in a Bangkok hospital, after being flung from their seats when the plane struck turbulence.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said another Australian had been discharged after receiving treatment.

At least three of the Australians are in intensive care after suffering head and spinal injuries when the Boeing 777-300ER experienced severe turbulence en route from London to Singapore.

A DFAT spokeswoman said the Australian government offered its sympathies to those affected by the in-flight incident.

“Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok are providing consular assistance to Australians affected by the incident,” said the spokeswoman.

“These include 12 Australian citizens and one permanent resident in hospital in Bangkok. One other Australian was hospitalised after the incident but has now been discharged.”

There were 56 Australians on board the flight, or more than a quarter of the 211 passengers.

Including the 13 Australians, 74 passengers from SQ321 remained in hospital in Bangkok along with six crew members.

Injured Singapore Airlines’ crew after severe turbulence on flight SQ321.

Images from inside Singapore Airlines flight SQ321.

One of the hospitalised crew was expected to return to Singapore on Thursday.

Brit Geoff Kitchen died from a suspected heart attack on the flight following the sudden turbulence, about ten hours into the service.

Singapore Airlines’ chairman Peter Seah offered his “deepest condolences” to Mr Kitchen’s family and loved ones.

“I assure all passengers and crew members who were on board the aircraft that we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time,” said Mr Seah.

“I also wish to express my gratitude to everyone in Singapore, Thailand, and around the world who are assisting those affected by this incident.”

Medical staff at Bangkok airport.

The Singapore Ministry of Transport and Transport Safety Investigation Bureau sent investigators to Bangkok as a formal investigation into the incident got underway.

It was expected the investigators would retrieve the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder as they examined what warning pilots had of the turbulence.

Australian pilots with experience of Boeing 777 aircraft said the sort of movement that occurred during the episode was indicative of “convective currents” associated with thunderstorms.

Flight radar showed there was some thunderstorm activity around Irrawaddy Basin, where the aircraft lurched violently up and down moments after seatbelt signs were turned on.

Passengers who arrived in Australia on Wednesday following the harrowing experience, described hearing a loud bang, and being suddenly launched into the ceiling.

Travellers praised the Singapore Airlines’ crew who continued to check on the welfare of passengers despite their own injuries.

Singapore Airlines said it was fully co-operating with the relevant authorities in relation to the investigation.

In 2023, the airline was named the world’s best at the annual Skytrax awards, based on passenger surveys ahead of Qatar Airways and Japan’s All Nippon Airways.