58 people from SQ321 still hospitalised in Bangkok; two Singaporeans in ICU
There are 20 people still receiving treatment in intensive care units at three hospitals in Bangkok.
The exterior of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, where some of the injured passengers were being treated a day after the turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore made an emergency landing, in Bangkok on May 22, 2024. (Photo: AFP/Manan Vatsyayana)
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BANGKOK: Nearly 60 people - including five Singaporeans - are still receiving medical treatment in three hospitals in Bangkok, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital said in a statement on Wednesday (May 22).
Twenty patients are being treated in intensive care units (ICU) at two hospitals, while the other 38 are receiving in-patient care.
Of the five Singaporeans who are in the three hospitals, two are in ICU.
The patients sustained injuries on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight that was hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday on its way from London to Singapore. The plane landed in Bangkok after a medical emergency was declared.
The 58 patients have been spread out across three hospitals: 41 in Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, 15 in Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital and two in Bangkok Hospital.
Twenty-seven patients had been discharged as of 1pm on Wednesday. Singapore Airlines said five passengers who were on board SQ321 will return to Singapore on Wednesday, while one crew member is set to fly back on Thursday.
SIA said 74 passengers and six crew members are still in Bangkok, including the families and loved ones of those receiving medical care.
While many passengers onboard the turbulence-hit SQ321 escaped serious physical injury, for some, the mental and emotional recovery is only just beginning. One psychologist says the harrowing experience could have long-term effects, and help from loved ones and professionals is key. Alif Amsyar reports.
Of the patients in Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, nine successfully underwent surgery on Tuesday. Five more patients are expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital is about a 20-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Samitivej is a private healthcare group with seven hospitals in Thailand. The first hospital was founded in 1979.
According to its website, Samitivej Srinakarin has 400 beds and offers a range of medical services for both Thai and foreign nationals.
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital is located in eastern Bangkok, close to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
"Patients can be transferred from the hospital to the airport in the shortest of time,” the website said.
SIX MALAYSIANS IN ICU
Nine Malaysians are currently receiving medical attention.
At Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, one patient is in the ICU and two patients are in the in-patient department.
At Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, five patients are in the ICU, and one is in the hospital's in-patient department.
A Malaysian embassy official who declined to be named told CNA that of the six patients at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, one is a male crew member and the other five were part of a group travelling together.
Their ages range from 31 to 65 years, and they are receiving treatment for head, neck and spinal injuries.
None are in life-threatening situations, the embassy official said. The crew member has gone for two surgeries and his family will be flying to Bangkok to see him.
The official added that one elderly female passenger is unconscious.
