Flight MU 5735 to Kunming Canceled Due to Severe Weather; Passenger Misses Flight
"Unspeakable Feelings, Hope Other Passengers Are Safe"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] A young Chinese man who survived the Eastern Airlines crash is becoming a hot topic on Chinese social media (SNS).
The young man named Huang Songhua avoided the tragedy by not boarding the connecting flight, Eastern Airlines MU 5735, after his first flight was canceled.
All 123 passengers (including 9 crew members, totaling 132 people) were on the passenger plane that crashed on the mountain near Tangnan Village, Teng County, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China on the 21st.
According to Chinese media on the 22nd, Mr. Huang originally booked two flights.
First, he booked flight MU 5952 on the morning of the 21st from Tengchong, Yunnan Province to Kunming, Yunnan Province. Then, he booked MU 5735 from Kunming to Guangzhou. The itinerary was to move from Tengchong Tuofeng Airport to Kunming Changshui Airport, transfer flights, and then go to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.
Mr. Huang’s luck began when flight MU 5952 was canceled due to bad weather. After receiving the airline message about the cancellation, he canceled flight MU 5735. Since he could not go from Tengchong to Kunming, canceling the Kunming-Guangzhou flight reservation was natural.
Upon hearing the news of the MU 5735 crash, Mr. Huang posted his canceled flight details on SNS.
He wrote, "I canceled the second flight reservation because the first flight was canceled." This seems to be a message to friends worried about his safety. He added, "I am at a loss for words right now," and "I hope the other passengers are safe."
To prove the truth of his post, Mr. Huang uploaded his ID, flight-related information, announcements, and cancellation details on SNS.
Chinese media speculated that due to the resurgence of COVID-19, there were probably very few tourists on the crashed plane, and most passengers were likely on business trips, expressing their sorrow.
Eastern Airlines expressed deep condolences to the passengers and crew who died in the plane crash.
They also released an official statement saying that the cause of the passenger plane crash is currently under investigation and that the company will actively cooperate with the related investigation.
At the accident site, there has been no news of survivors or the discovery of bodies yet.
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