Maarten De Jonge
Cyclist
Adventurer
Born in Netherlands
Listen to Maarten Podcast!
Maarten de Jonge, a Dutch professional cyclist, has traveled the world competing for Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team. But beyond his athletic career, he is best known for something extraordinary—escaping two of the deadliest air disasters in history by sheer luck.
In March 2014, Maarten was set to board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, heading from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. At the last moment, he switched to an earlier flight, unknowingly avoiding the plane that would mysteriously vanish over the Indian Ocean. Just months later, in July 2014, he changed his ticket again—this time from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 to a cheaper route via Frankfurt. That decision saved his life, as MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
Despite these close calls, Maarten remains humble, often stating that his story is nothing compared to the tragedies others faced. He continues to pursue his passion for cycling, refusing to let fear hold him back. His incredible story is a reminder of how a single decision can change the course of fate forever.
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