A devastating incident unfolded in the Malaysian state of Selangor as a light private business jet crashed onto a road, leading to a loss of lives and widespread grief.
Before the pilot died in a plane crash on Thursday (Aug. 17) on the Guthrie Highway close to the Elmina township in Shah Alam, Selangor, he said to his mother Mahanum Ismail, "Adik sayang mama," or "I love you mom," in Malay, as per The Strait Times.
Tragedy Strikes Malaysia
The crash occurred near the township of Elmina in Shah Alam, as the aircraft struck two vehicles, resulting in a tragic outcome.
On that fateful day, the wreckage claimed the lives of ten individuals, including eight passengers who were aboard the ill-fated plane, as well as two motorists - a car driver and a motorcyclist - who were struck by the falling aircraft. The aftermath of the crash left a trail of destruction and heartache.
In the aftermath of the crash, the authorities embarked on a mission to recover any available evidence and remains. A pivotal development emerged when the cockpit voice recorder, a crucial component for investigating air accidents, was successfully retrieved.
Additionally, the bodies of the victims were recovered, bringing a solemn conclusion to the search efforts. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan addressed the media, stating, "We have also found 10 bodies and five body parts.
This means we have completed our search for the victims." He further explained that the collected remains would be transferred to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang for post-mortem examinations.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke disclosed details from the flight manifest, shedding light on the identities of the individuals onboard the aircraft.
Among the victims was Pelangai assemblyman Johari Harun. The other victims were pilots Shahrul Kamal Roslan and Heikal Aras Abdul Azim, as well as passengers Kharil Azwan Jamaludin, Shaharul Amir Omar, Mohamad Naim Fawwaz Mohamed Muaidi, Muhammad Taufiq Mohd Zaki, and Idris Abdol Talib @ Ramali, according to CNA.
Families Mourn as Communities Stand Together After Tragic Plane Crash
The tragic incident left families shattered and communities in mourning. Mahanum, the mother of one of the pilots, shared her heart-wrenching experience of their last conversation. She recounted her son's words, stating, "He was a mama's boy and the last time I spoke to him was when I was admitted to the hospital ... before hanging up the phone, he told me that he loved me."
The pain of loss was palpable as she spoke while holding back tears outside the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital forensic department. Shamsul Azizan Md Nasir, seeking confirmation about the fate of his brother-in-law, expressed the collective anguish of families anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones.
His brother-in-law, Khairil, served as a private pilot for Johari, who held a significant position as the Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment, and Green Technology Committee chairman.
In a gesture of compassion, the Pahang government pledged to shoulder the funeral expenses for the victims of the plane crash. Chief Minister Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail conveyed the state's commitment to supporting the grieving families during this difficult time. "We will bear the costs for all the victims of the accident," he solemnly affirmed.
This tragic event has not only led to loss but has also brought communities together in solidarity. As the families and friends of the victims grapple with their sorrow, the nation stands united in mourning and in recognizing the value of every life lost.
The investigation into the causes of the crash will continue, striving to uncover the truth and ensure that such a tragedy is not repeated, Al Jazeera reported.
