An emotional final text message sent by a passenger on the Jeju Air plane that tragically crashed in South Korea has surfaced, revealing the heartbreaking moments before the disaster claimed the lives of at least 177 people. The incident took place at Muan International Airport on a fateful Sunday morning, where the aircraft, carrying an estimated 181 individuals from Bangkok, met with a devastating fate. Amidst the wreckage, two survivors were miraculously rescued, both identified as airline crew members.
Reports emerged that one passenger, identified simply as Mr. A by South Korean media, managed to send a poignant message to a loved one before the catastrophe unfolded. Mr. A recounted the heart-wrenching account of his family notifying him of an issue with the plane while he awaited their safe arrival at the airport. The haunting text message from the passenger to their relative included the chilling inquiry, “Should I make a will?” The passenger’s narrative further detailed a distressing scenario of a bird getting entangled on the wing, obstructing the landing process.
Another passenger on the ill-fated flight reportedly messaged a relative with a final plea, “Should I say my last words?” The National Fire Agency of South Korea disclosed that among the recovered victims, 71 were identified as male and 71 as female, with efforts ongoing to confirm the genders of the remaining passengers. The two resilient flight attendants who survived the crash are currently receiving medical treatment for moderate to severe injuries.
During a somber briefing for families, a local fire official revealed the grim reality of passengers being ejected from the aircraft upon impact with the wall, diminishing chances of survival. With the plane severely damaged, the identification process for the deceased has posed significant challenges, prolonging the recovery and closure for grieving families. As investigations into the crash’s cause unfold, the South Korean Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry is focusing on a suspected landing gear malfunction triggered by a bird strike.
This devastating air disaster marks the deadliest plane crash involving a South Korean airline since the haunting events of 1997, where a Korean Air plane catastrophe in Guam claimed 200 lives. The country’s soil witnessed another tragic incident in April 2002, when an Air China crash resulted in the loss of 129 lives. As the aviation industry and authorities grapple with this catastrophic loss, the aftermath remains a sobering reminder of the perils faced in air travel. Flights to and from Muan Airport have been suspended, as the investigation seeks to unravel the sequence of events that led to this profound tragedy.
In a time of immense sorrow and reflection, the aviation community is urged to prioritize safety measures and vigilant protocols to safeguard passengers and crew from such harrowing incidents in the future. The stories of resilience amidst tragedy serve as poignant reminders of the strength and humanity that endure even in the face of unfathomable loss.