Tragedy struck on Sunday, December 29, 2024, when a Jeju Air flight crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. Out of the 181 people on board the Boeing 737-800, 179 lost their lives, with only two survivors – both cabin crew members – pulled from the burning wreckage.
The plane veered off the runway during landing, crashing into a wall and bursting into flames. This heartbreaking incident has plunged the nation into mourning, leading the South Korean government to declare a seven-day national period of mourning to honor the victims.
The Church’s Prayer for the Victims
In the wake of the tragedy, the Metropolis of Korea offered sincere prayers for the victims and their grieving families. The prayer, filled with compassion and hope, reads:
“God and Lord of mercy,
We bow our knees and hearts and we beseech and implore you for the repose of the souls of the 179 fallen servants of yours during the recent air tragedy that occurred in our country, which has plunged it into great mourning.
We also pray for divine comfort and strength for the relatives, friends, and acquaintances of the departed, so that they may be able to bear the cross of great pain and sorrow that their unexpected and so painful death filled their hearts.
Lord, Jesus Christ, we beg you to relieve and sweeten the aching souls from the bitterness of the death of all those who suffer because they will never see their loved ones again. For You are our only comforter and sweetness, and in You, we have certain hope and unwavering trust, now and forever and in the ages to come. Amen.”
A Nation in Mourning
As investigations into the crash’s cause commence, the people of South Korea have come together in grief, offering condolences to the victims’ families. The Metropolis of Korea has urged the faithful to join in prayer, providing spiritual comfort during this time of national tragedy.
This tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the enduring need for unity and compassion in times of profound sorrow.