Home Top

Heartbreaking moment elderly grandmother of air hostess who died on the doomed EgyptAir MS804 flight collapses at her memorial service

Grandmother of air hostess Yara Hani Tawfik collapsed at service in Cairo
Hundreds attended the memorial service with friends calling her 'perfect'
All 66 people onboard EgyptAir MS804 flight died over Mediterranean Sea

By Arthur Martin In Cairo For The Mailonline

Published: 15:28 GMT, 21 May 2016 | Updated: 18:01 GMT, 21 May 2016

179

View
comments

The elderly grandmother of air hostess Yara Hani Tawfik who died on the doomed EgyptAir MS804 flight collapsed at her memorial service today.

Concerned friends and relatives rushed to Anna Yara’s aid as she sat wailing on a pew in a church in Cairo.

One held the grandmother face as she was overcome with grief in the St Mary and St Athanasius Church after the service.

Grief: Friends and relatives comfort the elderly grandmother of air hostess Yara Hani Tawfik at her memorial service in a Cairo church

Broken: Devastated loved ones and family members at Ms Tawfik's funeral supported her grieving grandmother (left) after leaving floral tributes dedicated to the young woman (right)

Nahla Wagih, a friend of Miss Tawfik, said: ‘It is so sad to see the family in this state. There are no words to describe her loss.

‘Yara was the perfect daughter and grand-daughter. The family must be broken. I don’t know what words of comfort to say to them.’

Mrs Wagih, who worked with Miss Tawfik as a flight attendant on Egypt Air, was one of hundreds of relatives, friends and colleagues who attended the memorial, to which MailOnline was invited.

A large picture of 26-year-old Miss Tawfik was put up in the church between cross of flowers during the 40-minute service.

Afterwards, members of her family stood in a line outside the orthodox church as mourners paid their respects.

Tears: Loved ones of Yara Hani Tawfik mourn at her memorial service, which was attended by hundreds

Devastated: Family members hold onto each other and weep as they leave the Church of Virgin & Saint Athanasius in Cairo

Perfect daughter: The parents of Yara Hani Tawfik embrace as they mourn her passing during her funeral

Mrs Wagih, who has worked for EgyptAir for 32 years, added: ‘I last saw Yara a week ago before boarding a flight. She was smiling and happy and really full of life.

‘She was a pleasure to work with and a dear friend. I was also friends with the captain and he was a wonderful guy.

‘He had so much experience, but it seems something happened that was beyond his control.

‘I thought of going back in the air is hard for me, but I have to. It is our job, but it won’t be easy.’

MailOnline was invited to attend the memorial ceremony by EgyptAir staff. An EgyptAir representative gave permission for MailOnline to attend the church service and take pictures at the conclusion of the memorial.