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SINGAPORE: Australian airline Qantas has confirmed that 38 Singaporeans were on board QF 72 which made an emergency landing at Learmonth on Tuesday.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said most of the injured Singaporeans were given outpatient treatment while a few are under observation and in stable condition.
Qantas said up to 74 passengers were injured in varying severity, from abrasions and contusions to fractures.
MFA and Singapore's High Commission in Canberra said they are in contact with the injured Singaporeans or their next-of-kin. The High Commission is monitoring the situation and will provide consular assistance to them.
Qantas said 131 of those on board were Australians. There were also 53 Britons and 40 Indian nationals. So far, the airline has not released details of the names of affected passengers.
14 passengers are in serious condition, but none life-threatening. Another 30 were sent to a hospital in Perth and others treated for minor conditions.
Qantas' Chief Executive Officer said the carrier is investigating the cause of Flight QF72's sudden altitude change.
The Airbus 330's black box and cockpit voice recorder have been removed for investigations by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
The flight took off from Singapore and was on its way to Perth when the incident happened. About 48 kilometres from Learmouth, the aircraft which was cruising at 37,000 feet, nose-dived unexpectedly. - CNA/vm
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