People lay flowers for the victims of the crash: 'You just flew higher and farther...'

▲Outside Exit 3 of Songshan Airport, people have spontaneously laid flowers.

Reported and photographed by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

It has been three days since the TransAsia Airways Flight GE222 crash en route to Magong. Starting at 9 a.m. today (July 25), members of the public have spontaneously come to Songshan Airport to offer floral tributes and condolence cards to express their heartfelt condolences.

Outside Exit 3 of the Songshan Airport MRT Station, several bouquets of quietly colored flowers and nearly 20 small cards have been placed. Each card is filled with sorrow and longing for the victims of the air disaster.

▲Students took time out of their day to offer flowers for the victims.

In addition to cards from the general public, one card believed to be written by a TransAsia employee reads:"Instructors, seniors, juniors, you worked hard. I believe you just flew higher and farther. Rest in peace."

▲Each handwritten card is filled with deep sorrow for the victims.

Another card addressed to Jiang reads:"Three years of friendship was too short. You were such a good person. This time, take your beloved flying as high as you can."

▲'Three years of friendship was too short' – every word reflects the grief.

Yet another card, addressed to Captain Lee Yiliang, Captain Jiang Guanxing (the pilot and co-pilot of this flight), and Senior Josh, reads:"Back at Songshan Airport, all I can think about are the moments we shared while working together. Stay strong and don’t let the tears fall — you were so brave, and we’re all proud of you."

▲Behind every card lies a touching little story.

Volunteers on site said that many of the messages on the cards brought tears to their eyes. Tonight, volunteers will also help set up tribute boards and, depending on the rain, assist in storing the cards and flowers to keep them from getting wet. The volunteers said, "Doing something meaningful doesn’t feel tiring at all." (Due to the small and sometimes illegible handwriting, please excuse any recognition errors and inform ETtoday News Cloud for corrections if needed.)

▲Volunteers say the flower and card tribute will continue.