Taipei: EVA Air has apologized to the family of a flight attendant surnamed Sun, who died after falling ill at work, after an employee sent a message to the deceased worker’s phone asking her to submit leave application documents. The Taiwanese airline said in a written statement on Wednesday that the message requesting documentation for family care leave after her death was sent in error. EVA Air explained that the mistake occurred because a staff member was “insufficiently familiar with their work duties” and promised to conduct a review and make improvements. The company expressed deep regret for causing distress to Sun’s family and extended its “deepest apologies.”

According to Focus Taiwan, the Taoyuan City Office of Labor Inspection is investigating the death of the 34-year-old Sun, who served on an EVA Air flight from Milan to Taoyuan on September 24 and reported feeling unwell during the return journey. Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport on September 25, she sought medical treatment at a nearby clinic before returning home. Sun was admitted to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on September 26 as her condition worsened and was later transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung on October 8, where she died two days later.

The labor office inspected the airline and found EVA Air’s working hours and rest intervals in compliance with the Labor Standards Act. Officials stated that the company had not refused Sun’s leave requests but noted that certain types of leave could affect performance evaluations. Investigators plan to question flight attendants and the purser on duty to determine whether Sun was denied medical help or discouraged from taking sick leave. EVA Air expressed that it was “deeply saddened” by Sun’s death and has launched an internal investigation.