Girls Killed In Asiana Crash Were Headed To Summer Program In West Hills
WEST HILLS (CBSLA.com) — West Valley Christian School confirmed that two teens killed in an airline crash at San Francisco International Airport were traveling to California for the church's summer camp.
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In a statement posted on the school's website, the group says a prayer vigil will be held at West Valley Christian Church and School at 7 p.m. Thursday.
School Says Girls Killed In Asiana Crash Were Headed To Summer Program In West Hills
"They were two 16-year-old Chinese girls that were a part of our group that were supposed to be here," Pastor Glen Kirby told KNX 1070's Ed Mertz.
He told church members that the students and their families are now in need.
IMAGES: National Transportation Safety Board Releases Crash Photos
The teens were part of a group of 35 who were expected to arrive at the school Tuesday for the three-week study abroad program.
The Chinese government says a total of 70 middle and high school students were aboard Asiana Flight 214.
"We want to grieve. We want to be real and we want love these families that have lost their loved ones," Derek Swales, a school administrator, said. "It is a sobering reality that we each in a day could lose a loved one."
Church Reacts To News Of Deaths Of 2 Girls
The school says the church opens its doors to international students for three weeks and offers participants an opportunity to study language arts and culture, as well as to sight-see, KNX 1070 reported.
The Boeing 777 was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members when it crashed at San Francisco International Airport late Saturday morning.
A statement from Asiana Airlines identified the deceased as Ye Meng Yuan and Wang Lin Jia, according to CBS SF. At last word, 182 others were hospitalized. All 307 people aboard the flight have been accounted for.
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating.
