• Asia International Relations

    179 killed in aircrash in South Korea

    European Newsdesk Posted on

    On Sunday morning, South Korea experienced its deadliest air accident in history when a Jeju Air flight, arriving from Bangkok, crashed after belly-landing and skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport. The disaster killed 179 people and marks the most significant aviation tragedy in the country in nearly three decades.

    The flight, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, had 175 passengers and six crew members onboard. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, attempted to land at around 9 a.m. local time, but shortly after touchdown, it lost control, skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before crashing into navigation equipment and a wall. A massive fireball erupted upon impact, and the wreckage was almost unrecognizable, with only the tail section remaining somewhat intact.

    Two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section. They are currently being treated for medium to severe injuries. Search operations continued around the crash site, where authorities combed nearby areas for bodies potentially ejected from the plane during the crash. At least 179 people have been confirmed dead, marking the deadliest air accident for a South Korean airline since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam.

    Investigators are looking into possible causes of the crash, including bird strikes and adverse weather conditions. Local media reports indicate that a bird may have struck the aircraft, causing a malfunction with the landing gear. However, aviation experts have noted that while bird strikes are common, they typically do not lead to such catastrophic outcomes. The plane, which was manufactured in 2009, had no prior history of accidents, and no early signs of malfunction were reported.

    The incident shocked families and loved ones at Muan airport, as relatives gathered in a state of despair. Some received the tragic news via text messages, with one passenger reportedly sending their final words before the crash. “Should I say my last words?” read the text, according to a report from News1.

    The crash has raised significant concerns, not only because of the scale of the disaster but also due to the fact that it occurred at Muan International, a small airport that has seen a sharp increase in international flights over the past year. Jeju Air, a low-cost airline, had only recently started regular flights from Muan to Bangkok and other Asian cities on December 8.

    Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, expressed his deep condolences for the loss of life and assured the public that the airline would fully cooperate with investigators. South Korean authorities have launched a civil investigation into the incident, with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) being involved due to the aircraft’s American design and manufacture.

    The crash has deeply impacted the nation, and in response, South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, who was appointed just days earlier amidst political turmoil, visited the crash site. The government has pledged to dedicate all available resources to handle the aftermath of the tragedy.

    Among the passengers, two Thai nationals, aged 22 and 45, were confirmed dead. The Thai government is coordinating with South Korean authorities to arrange support for the families of the victims.

    This devastating accident has left the nation in mourning and raised many questions about the causes behind the disaster, as experts and authorities work to piece together the events that led to the loss of so many lives.

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