International
The testimony of a passenger of the Singapore Airlines flight: “The plane trembled and, a second later, fell”
“The plane trembled and, a second later, it rushed,” says a Canadian passenger who was traveling on the Singapore Airlines flight that had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok the day before after “sudden and strong turbulence,” which caused one death and dozens of injuries.
“There was no warning. The plane began to tremble and, a second later, it rushed. Everything lasted about two seconds,” the passenger, who prefers to preserve his identity and was traveling with his wife, tells EFE in a telephone conversation.
Both came out unscathed from the incident because they were wearing seat belts – “we felt like we were on a roller coaster,” he describes, “but we didn’t jump out of the seat” -, unlike other unmoored passengers who were in front and around.
“They flew to the ceiling, hitting it and falling again… Other objects, such as the carts (for food and drink), too… There were so many blows that you could see holes in the panels (of the device),” he says.
The man, residing in Singapore – the final destination of flight SQ321, which covered the route from London to the city-Asian state – considers that the moment of the shock – about 2.5 hours before landing and ten hours after takeoff, when flying over Burma – was “very unfortunate.”
“Everyone was waking up, going to the bathroom, the crew preparing breakfast… If it had happened an hour earlier, with almost everyone sleeping, the damage would have been minimal,” he says.
“Many crew members were injured because they were not seated, most of them limped or bled afterwards,” he adds.
The deceased is a 73-year-old British theater director, victim of a heart attack, and among the dozens injured, about twenty are in intensive care, according to a statement today from the Samitivej hospital in Bangkok, in whose centers most of those affected were admitted.
According to the Canadian, a doctor who was traveling on the plane tried to save the British man’s life unsuccessfully and after “a lot of effort”.
Among the injured is a 42-year-old Spanish citizen who was traveling with his wife, 38, and who presents “a bruise,” according to EFE.
The Spaniard, whose identity and age have not transcended at the moment, “hit himself with the roof,” because he did not wear a seat belt at the time of the sudden turbulence, and “he does not have any fracture, it is just a contusion,” according to sources close to the case told EFE.
For their part, the Canadian citizen and his wife are already in Singapore, as they were part of the 131 passengers and 12 crew members who traveled this morning on a flight chartered by the airline, whose executive director, Goh Choon Phong, apologized today for the “traumatic experience.”
Another 79 passengers and six crew members remain in Bangkok, including those who are receiving medical assistance and the relatives who were traveling with them.
As reported yesterday by the airline, the plane carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members, most of them Australians (56), British (47) and Singaporeans (41), as well as two Spaniards.
According to the FlightRadar portal, which records flights around the world, the aircraft, a Boeing 777-300 ER, suffered a sudden loss of altitude for 4 minutes for which it descended from 37,000 to 31,000 feet (from 11,200 meters to 9,400 meters), when it apparently managed to stabilize.
However, according to the story of the Canadian interviewed by EFE, which coincides with that of other passengers, the abrupt descent caused by the turbulence was just seconds, so that those almost 2,000 meters of altitude loss would also include the pilot’s deliberate descent time after the shock.
Once the plane regained stability, the crew proceeded to make a count of the injured. “When it was confirmed that there were several critics, the pilot announced the emergency landing,” which took place at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok around 15:45 local time (8:45 GMT) on Tuesday.
The executive director of Singapore Airlines, Goh Choon Phong, today apologized for the “traumatic experience” of the flight and his “most sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased,” in a video released by the airline.
Singapore Airlines, the second best airline in the world after Qatar Airways according to the World Airlines Awards, assured today that it is “fully cooperating” with the authorities for the investigation of the incident.
A total of 20 passengers are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) in two hospitals in Bangkok, health sources reported on Wednesday.
The injured in the ICU are British (6), Malaysian (6), Australian (3), Singaporean (2), New Zealander (1), Filipino (1) and a Hong Kong national, according to the latest update from the Samitivej hospital.
The source, however, did not specify in its statement the problems recorded by the inpatients, which in a previous statement put six patients in serious condition.
This hospital also points out that another 38 injured passengers are already in the plant, including a Spaniard, while another 27 and 19 people who were treated for minor injuries at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport have already been discharged.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
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International22 hours agoUN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people