The boss of Singapore Airlines has apologised after “severe extreme turbulence” on a flight led to the death of a British man and injuries to dozens more.
Goh Choon Phong said the airline was “very sorry for the traumatic experience” for those on the flight from London to Singapore.
The British grandfather who died was named yesterday as Geoffrey Kitchen.
The 73-year-old musical theatre director from Gloucestershire suffered a suspected heart attack after the plane dropped.
In a video statement posted to Facebook, Mr Phong said some 79 passengers and six crew members were receiving medical treatment in Bangkok, where the plane was diverted to.
A relief flight carrying the remaining passengers and crew members arrived in Singapore early on Wednesday.
Mr Phong said: “We are deeply saddened by this incident.
“On behalf of Singapore Airlines, 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.
“We are fully co-operating with the relevant authorities on the investigations.”
Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol paid tribute to Mr Kitchen on Tuesday evening.
In a post on Facebook, the group said: “It is with a heavy heart that we learn of the devastating news of the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend Geoff Kitchen in the recent Singapore Air Incident.
“Geoff was always a gentleman with the utmost honesty and integrity and always did what was right for the group.
“His commitment to TMTG was unquestionable and he has served the group and the local community of Thornbury for over 35 years, holding various offices within the group, including chairman, treasurer and most recently secretary.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and the family at this difficult time, and we ask that you respect their privacy.”
Singapore Airlines said the flight hit “sudden extreme turbulence” over Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Basin at 37,000ft about 10 hours after departure.
The pilot declared a medical emergency and landed the plane at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.
One passenger onboard said the plane suffered a “dramatic drop” and people not wearing a seatbelt were “launched immediately into the ceiling”.
Another passenger, Jerry, who was travelling to his son’s wedding, told the BBC the day was “the worst of my life”.
Speaking with a bandage covering part of his head, he said: “Things were going very smoothly at first. I’d just been to the loo, came back, sat down, bit of turbulence, and suddenly the plane plunged.
“I don’t know how far, but it was a long way. [It was] so sudden, there was no warning at all, and I ended up hitting my head on the ceiling, my wife did.
“Some poor people walking around ended up doing somersaults. It was absolutely terrible, and then suddenly it stopped and it was calm again, and the staff did their best to tend to the injured people.
“There were a lot of them and some of the staff are injured themselves, so they did a sterling job.”
Images shared on social media showed food, cutlery and debris strewn on the floor as well as damage to the ceiling of the cabin.