A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered extreme turbulence on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to 71 others.

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, hit severe turbulence over Myanmar. The incident led to the death of a 73-year-old British man and caused serious injuries to six other passengers. The turbulence forced the aircraft to rapidly descend from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet.

Flight SQ321 departed from Heathrow at 10:38 p.m. local time on Monday. About 10 hours into the journey, while flying over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar, the plane encountered sudden extreme turbulence. This turbulence caused a rapid descent, prompting the pilot to declare a medical emergency and divert the flight to Bangkok.

The deceased passenger reportedly suffered a heart attack. His wife and 70 other injured passengers were taken to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital. Passengers who were uninjured continued their journey to Singapore the following day.

Several passengers described the chaotic scene on board. Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student, “Everyone seated and not wearing seatbelts was launched into the ceiling. Some people hit their heads on the overhead bins, causing significant damage.”

Images and videos shared on social media reveal a cabin littered with food and debris, with overhead compartments significantly damaged. The cause of the turbulence remains unclear, though satellite data indicated unstable atmospheric conditions and developing storms in the region.

Singapore Airlines expressed condolences and apologized for the incident. In a statement, the airline said, “Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. We deeply apologize for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.”

The airline confirmed that a team had been sent to Bangkok to support local authorities and provide assistance to passengers and crew at the hospital and airport. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.