Aviation: Qantas B747 in severe turbulence near Singapore

One passenger on board the flight that left London at 11:15 on Friday morning flew into severe turbulence off India. Passengers speaking of their own experience told the Sydney Morning Herald that the plane first rose dramatically, then dropped suddenly, lifting people from their seats and tossing any loose articles around the cabin.

Because of a toilet malfunction, more people than usual were standing in a queue for the aft toilets and they were thrown about, too.

Qantas said that the aircraft flew into a storm which suddenly turned severe. The seatbelt signs were turned on before the aircraft hit the turbulence but a number of people had not returned to their seats. Some had not fastened their seatbelts while seated, as airlines advise.

The aircraft was held in Singapore while an inspection took place. It was pronounced airworthy and returned to Sydney for minor repairs.

Excited media reports speak of seven people being severely injured. In fact, seven people were treated for minor cuts and bruises. Four people were taken to hospital in Singapore and all were discharged within hours.

But the truth has been over-ridden by comments reported on some media claiming that one passenger's head "went through" an overhead locker and another broke a hip.

Yet, there is universal praise for the crew who spent much of the remaining flight into Singapore - about three hours - chatting to passengers to put them at ease. The Captain walked around the entire aircraft speaking to every passenger.

The passengers arrived in Sydney about 24 hours late.