How safety rules ‘written in blood’ saved lives in Tokyo plane crash | CNN https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/02/travel/tokyo-plane-crash-safety-rules-analysis-intl/index.html
"...In fact, say the experts, one of the lessons we passengers should be learning from this incident is to pay more attention.
Erlich cites the fact that the passengers on JAL516 evacuated without taking all their carry-on bags with them – a horrifying practice we’ve seen in videos of recent evacuations. ..."
"...One pilot for a major European airline, who wished to remain anonymous, told CNN that there might be a cultural aspect to the saving of so many lives.
“There are definitely challenges across airlines and cultures where some people prioritize their hand baggage or belongings over their safety and that of their fellow passengers,” they said. ...
... “Leaving everything and getting out should be your only priority. When this happens everyone has the best chance of survival.”
Erlich agrees: “Any delay in evacuation could have been catastrophic, all for the sake of a laptop or carry-on bag. This incident could have been far worse if passengers hadn’t heeded the warnings to leave their belongings behind.” "