Bangkok, May 22 (EFE).- Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong apologized Wednesday for the "traumatic experience" that passengers of flight SQ321 experienced when it encountered "sudden extreme turbulence," during which one person died and 30 were injured.

The Boeing 777-300ER departed London's Heathrow airport for Singapore on Monday and encountered the turbulence over Myanmar. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to Bangkok, where it landed Tuesday afternoon. The injured were met by medics, with some hospitalized.

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are very sorry for the traumatic experience that everyone on board SQ321 went through," CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a video message posted to social media by the airline.

He was "deeply saddened" by the incident during the flight, which hit "sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin," about 10 hours into the flight and at an altitude of 37,000 feet.

A 73-year-old British man died, likely due to a heart attack, and among the 30 people injured, seven were in critical condition.

The plane was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, the majority Australians (56), British (47) and Singaporeans (41), the airline said.

Singapore Airlines confirmed that 131 passengers and 12 crew members arrived in Singapore on a relief flight Wednesday at 5.05 am (11:05 GMT Tuesday).

Another 79 passengers and six crew members remain in Bangkok, including those receiving medical treatment, as well as the family and loved ones who were traveling with them.

The airline assured that it is "fully cooperating" with authorities in the investigation into the incident, and that they are "providing all possible support to the passengers and crew from SQ321 who remain in Bangkok."

According to online flight tracking data, the plane appeared to have dropped about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) in 4 minutes, descending from 37,000 to 31,000 feet, where it apparently managed to stabilize.

However, FlightRadar, which records flights around the world, said the drop in altitude "was commanded via autopilot - not turbulence."

It also said "there were thunderstorms, some severe, in the area at the time."

The Boeing 777-300ER was delivered new to Singapore Airlines in February 2008, it added. EFE

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