Thoughts?
Pretty much garbage. Author hasn't got a clue what a flex takeoff is and that flex/ derate/ assumed temp are best industry practice. Fatigue has already been ruled out as a factor. Preliminary report is due out soon. EK made a mistake with less than proactive media work though, which is I believe in the process of being rectified.
Actually the Melbourne 2001 engine surge comes to mind. EK claimed rightfully that there was no fire and then somebody came up with a video of a huge fireball belching out of the N1 fan (which is to be expected during a surge but is absolutely not an engine fire). EK ended up appearing defensive pointing this out and were seen as liars by the uninitiated crowd.