Eight of 16 Malaysian passengers on turbulence-hit SIA flight back home

SHANGHAI: Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin confirms that eight of the 16 Malaysian passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321 which was hit by severe turbulence have returned home.

He said a passenger who was injured in the incident has been discharged from hospital and is waiting to travel back home.

“Seven more Malaysians treated at Srinakarin Samitivej Hospital and Sukhumvit Samitivej Hospital have been transferred to regular wards and are in a stable condition.

“Another Malaysian who is also the part of the SQ321 crew affected in the incident will fly to Singapore on Monday (May 27),” he said at a press conference here.

Mohamad said the Foreign Ministry through the Malaysian Diplomatic Missions (Malawakil) in Bangkok will continue to monitor the situation and is trying to help all victims involved.

Earlier, it was reported that SIA flight SQ321 carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew was on a flight from London to Singapore when it experienced extreme air turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 11,277.6 metres, about 10 hours after take off on May 21.

The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 777-300ER to Bangkok and landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, at 3.45pm local time.

In the incident, one passenger died and many were injured.

In another development, Mohamad said the ministry has not received any feedback regarding pilgrims from Malaysia ordered to leave Makkah, Saudi Arabia for not having complete documents or haj visas.

“Representatives in Riyadh and Jeddah are cooperating with related agencies, especially the Pilgrims Fund Board. We are always ready to provide consular assistance to facilitate the movement of Malaysian pilgrims, should any unforeseen circumstances occur,” he said. – BK