One man’s unimaginable loss: Jeju Air crash claims 12 family members

A devastating tragedy unfolded on December 29 when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muang Airport, claiming the lives of 12 members of one man's family.

The man, who had been vacationing in Thailand with his children and relatives, was away on a business trip when fate intervened. Instead of returning to South Korea with his loved ones, he had to travel back to India for work. In a cruel twist of fate, he became the only survivor of the horrific crash, Caliber.Az reports referring to Korean media sources.

Upon hearing the news of the crash, the man rushed back to his homeland, determined to help identify his family members. He quickly arranged for a DNA test to assist in the identification process. Still haunted by the tragedy, he revealed that he could still hear the voice of his young daughter in his mind — she had been on her way to celebrate her grandfather's birthday when the crash occurred.

In the aftermath, a heart-wrenching story emerged from the final moments of a victim on board. A relative shared the last messages sent by the passenger before the flight ended in disaster. Tragically, the victim never had the chance to send "last words," leaving an overwhelming sense of finality.

The disaster has sent shockwaves through South Korea, leading authorities to initiate an inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The crash is now the deadliest aviation incident in South Korean history, with 179 of the 181 people on board losing their lives.

In response to the tragedy, South Korea has declared a week of mourning. All domestic and international flights at Muang Airport have been cancelled, and the runway has been cordoned off as investigators gather crucial evidence.

Both black boxes from the aircraft have been recovered, and aviation experts have begun their investigation. Initial findings suggest the crash occurred during the plane's landing attempt, as it overshot the runway and collided with a fence.

Disturbing footage of the crash has emerged online, showing the aircraft speeding uncontrollably before slamming into the fence and bursting into flames. The tragedy has left families and communities grieving, as the full scope of the disaster continues to unfold.

By Tamilla Hasanova