I am sure his words bring comfort to the relatives of the dead passengers!
If it’s true, tough. It’s their own fault for behaving like idiots. They might all deserve Darwin awards this year.
I'm guessing is was in the context of a larger question by a reporter, not the emphasis given to the comment. Remember, this guy is not used to giving quotes.
As for safety protocol saving his life, had he been in parts of the plane totally destroyed, he would not have survived. It was luck of where he was positioned in the aircraft...and being strapped in.