‘My heart aches so much’: Families grieve at airport after South Korea plane crash kills 179

Thanyaporn Buathong
BBC Thai Service

The cousin of a Thai passenger, 49-year-old Jongluk Doungmanee, who was onboard the deadly Jeju Air flight says she is “saddened” and “shocked”.

Pornphichaya Chalermsin, from Nong Wua So District, Udon Thani, says her cousin Jongluk is a mom of two kids, aged 7 and 15, and had been dwelling in South Korea for 5 years, working in agriculture along with her Korean husband, whom she married three years in the past.

In an interview with BBC Thai, she stated she had “solely ever seen such information from different international locations and by no means thought it will contain Thai folks”, including that “watching the video footage made me really feel much more distressed.

“I used to be shocked, I had goosebumps. I couldn’t consider it… when the information stated one of many victims was from Udon Thani, I used to be much more stunned.”

Earlier than her flight on Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, Joungluk had spent over two weeks in Thailand visiting her household and touring in Chiang Mai along with her husband. Her husband had already returned to South Korea earlier than she departed.

• For context: We have obtained affirmation that 179 folks on board the flight have died, with two crew members rescued. The Thai Ministry of Overseas Affairs says the loss of life of two Thai ladies on the flight has been confirmed. A complete of 88 victims have been recognized to this point