Manila: An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) severely injured on a turbulent Singapore Airlines flight will undergo surgery for a neck fracture, the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported Thursday.
A spokesperson stated that the Singapore-based OFW suffered a "neck fracture" and back injuries after flight SQ321 experienced "sudden extreme turbulence" over Myanmar, 10 hours into its journey from London to Singapore.
The flight was diverted to Bangkok.
The OFW's condition is described as "sensitive" but stable, and the government is arranging for a family member to join her as she recovers at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where the plane made an emergency landing.
5 Filipinos injured
The turbulence resulted in the death of an elderly passenger from a suspected heart attack and injured over 100 people, including five Filipinos.
The DMW reported that a UK-based Filipina nurse, her two-year-old son, and her husband are in stable condition.
Another Filipino passenger, a 62-year-old male, is in intensive care after losing consciousness. Doctors are closely monitoring him, and a nephew based in Bangkok is providing assistance.
The flight had 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.
"On behalf of Singapore Airlines, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger. We also deeply apologize for the trauma experienced by all passengers and crew members on this flight," Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said.
A British man was killed and seven others were critically injured when Singapore Air flight SQ321 hit severe turbulence upon entering Thai airspace on Tuesday, leading to an emergency landing in Bangkok.
The deadly incident has underscored the dangers of the world's most turbulent air routes.
