The country is mourning First Lieutenant Lo Shang-hua, killed during a mid-air collision of two Air Force F-5E fighter jets March 22 off Pingtung County, while the search for Captain Pan Ying-chun, who remains missing after the incident, continues in southern Taiwan.
This is a day of great grief and sorrow for the whole country, President Tsai Ing-wen said after a special briefing at an airbase March 24 in Taitung County, southeastern Taiwan. She also offered her deepest condolences and regards to the two officers’ families as commander in chief of the armed forces.
All assistance and resources will be provided to help the family members, Tsai said, adding that the search mission will not stop until the missing pilot is found. The country’s men and women in uniform deserve the full gratitude and respect of the people for their sacrifices and commitment, she said.
The president said she has directed the Ministry of National Defense to fast-track the investigation of the incident while enhancing safety inspection of all military aircraft.
According to the MND, four F-5E fighter jets took off from the Taitung airbase at 14:30 for a routine training mission before two of the aircraft collided at 15:06 offshore from the Mudan Township of Pingtung County.
Lo was found at 16:41 and transported back to the airbase at 17:05 before being rushed to Taitung McKay Memorial Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. (SFC-E)
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