A devastating plane crash in South Korea has claimed 179 lives, marking the country's worst aviation disaster. The Jeju Air flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members, belly-landed at Muan International Airport around 9 a.m. on Sunday. As the plane skidded off the runway and slammed into a wall, it erupted in a massive fireball.
Only two crew members survived, although they sustained medium to severe injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. The crash occurred after the plane, a Boeing 737-800, attempted an emergency landing with no visible landing gear. It skidded down the runway before crashing into navigation equipment and a wall, bursting into flames and causing extensive damage.
In what remains South Korea's worst air disaster in nearly three decades, authorities are investigating various causes, including a possible bird strike, which may have caused a malfunction in the landing gear.
While such incidents are not unusual, aviation experts indicate that bird strikes alone typically do not result in crashes of this magnitude. Investigations are ongoing with South Korea leading a civil inquiry, and international cooperation from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is anticipated.
The flight, operated by low-cost carrier Jeju Air, was the airline's first fatal accident since its founding in 2005. The crash marks a tragic turn for the airline, especially as Muan International saw an influx of passengers over the past year.
The 179 fatalities include a mix of South Korean and Thai nationals. Among the dead were two Thai nationals aged 22 and 45. The Thai Foreign Ministry has since confirmed their deaths and is assisting their families with travel arrangements. South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, visited the crash site and pledged all available resources to manage the aftermath.
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae expressed his deepest apologies for the tragedy, assuring that the airline would fully cooperate with investigations and prioritize supporting the victims' families. The incident has led to an outpouring of sympathy, with Boeing also sending condolences and support to Jeju Air and the bereaved families.
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