Singapore Airlines reports that 52 passengers and one crew member of the turbulence-hit flight SQ321 are still in Bangkok one week after the fatal incident

Singapore Airlines said on Sunday that 52 passengers and a crew member from flight SQ321, which was hit by severe turbulence on May 21, are still in Bangkok, nearly a week after the fatal incident that also left numerous passengers and cabin crew seriously injured.

Of the passengers still in Bangkok following the Boeing 777-300’s emergency medical diversion, 40 remain in hospital, as does a cabin crew member who apparently underwent spinal surgery after being thrown against the cabin ceiling when the plane suddenly crashed.

Immediately after the incident, Singapore Airlines managed to repatriate 131 passengers and 12 crew members on a special flight from Bangkok. After arriving in Singapore, some passengers continued on to their planned destination, while others returned to London and others were allowed to stay in Singapore to process what had happened.

Singapore Airlines says it is staying in touch with all passengers on flight SQ321 and has arranged for some of the passengers still in Bangkok to be repatriated to Thailand so that their family members can be with their relatives.

On Sunday, the 16-year-old aircraft was returned to Singapore from Bangkok with no passengers on board. The aircraft is expected to remain out of service for some time, not only because of the extensive damage to the cabin, but also because the aircraft is still the subject of an ongoing accident investigation.

In an internal memo released on Sunday, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong thanked employees for their hard work and perseverance in responding to the incident.

“The last five days have been extremely challenging for everyone at Singapore Airlines,” Phong wrote. “Our agility, commitment and team spirit were evident during this time,” the memo continued.

“The Singapore-based crisis management team immediately sprang into action, while our Bangkok station and its local partners mobilized all available resources and medical teams to receive the aircraft.”

“So much has happened in such a short space of time. It has undoubtedly been an intense period with everyone working tirelessly as we collectively responded to SQ321. On behalf of the SIA Board and the entire management team, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

In response to the incident, Singapore changed its turbulence policy and will no longer continue meal service when the seatbelt sign is on. Instead, cabin crew will be instructed to stop service, stow the meal carts and then check on passengers before they buckle into their jump seats.

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