5 Pinoys in turbulence-hit Singapore flight injured

FIVE Filipinos sustained injuries in the Singapore-bound flight which encountered “severe turbulence” that forced it to make an emergency landing in Thailand last Tuesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said yesterday.

The DMW said the five include a family of three — a female staff nurse in the United Kingdom, her husband, and their two-year-old male infant. The fourth is a female information technology worker in Singapore while the fifth is another Filipino male.

The DMW said the five were taken to hospitals in Bangkok, treated for injuries from the emergency landing, and underwent a series of medical and physical tests.

“All are in stable condition,” said the DMW.

The agency said the female IT worker was found to have sustained a neck fracture.

“Doctors describe her condition as sensitive but stable,” it said.

The DMW said it will monitor the condition of the five Filipinos until they are discharged from their respective hospitals.

On Tuesday, a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, thus forcing it to divert to Bangkok, Thailand.

One passenger died and 71 people were injured during the flight as the severe turbulence threw passengers and crew around the cabin.

Singapore Airlines said 74 passengers and six crew members are still in Bangkok, including those receiving medical care and their family members.

The airline said in a statement that an additional five passengers who were on board the SQ321 flight will return to Singapore on Wednesday, and one crew member is set to return on Thursday. – With Reuters