MUAN COUNTY, SOUTH KOREA:
A catastrophic plane crash in South Korea claimed 179 lives on Sunday when a Jeju Air flight, arriving from Bangkok, belly-landed at Muan International Airport. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway, collided with a wall, and erupted into flames. Only two crew members survived the tragic incident.
The crash, South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, occurred shortly after 9 a.m. local time. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, suffered a suspected bird strike, which may have led to a landing gear malfunction. The control tower had issued a warning about bird activity moments before the pilots declared an emergency.
The plane, which began service in 2009, disintegrated upon impact, leaving debris scattered across the area. Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun described the wreckage as nearly unrecognizable, with only the tail section retaining some shape.
Family members of victims gathered in grief at the airport terminal, as officials identified 65 of the deceased using fingerprints. The victims ranged from a three-year-old boy to a 78-year-old, with most passengers being South Koreans, along with two Thai nationals.
Both black boxes were recovered from the crash site, and an investigation is underway. South Korea is leading the probe, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Authorities are examining potential causes, including bird strikes and weather conditions.
Jeju Air, a low-cost airline established in 2005, expressed deep regret over its first fatal accident. CEO Kim E-bae apologized publicly and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The crash has raised questions about aviation safety in the region, with experts highlighting the unusual circumstances of the incident. It marks the worst aviation tragedy on South Korean soil since a 2002 Air China crash that killed 129 people.
Interim President Choi Sang-mok vowed full government support for the recovery and investigation efforts, as flights at Muan International Airport were suspended indefinitely. The tragic accident has cast a shadow over Jeju Airβs recently launched routes and the growing activity at the small regional airport.
