Tragic Plane Crash in South Korea Claims 179 Lives, Investigation Underway.
South Korea:
A devastating plane crash in South Korea has resulted in the deaths of 179 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members, after a Jeju Air flight crash-landed at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The Boeing 737-800, flight 2216, was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, when it overshot the runway, crashed into a perimeter wall, and exploded in flames. Only two survivors, both cabin crew members, were pulled from the wreckage.
The crash occurred shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT). The aircraft, carrying a mix of South Korean and Thai nationals, including many holidaymakers, had encountered difficulties during landing. The pilot, with over 6,800 flight hours, initially aborted the landing attempt due to bird interference before issuing a mayday call. Experts suggest that bird strikes and adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the incident, but questions remain regarding the plane’s speed, landing gear, and flap settings.
The crash is being investigated, and aviation experts are raising concerns over several unanswered questions, such as why the plane was traveling at high speed and why the landing gear had not been deployed.
This tragic incident marks the deadliest crash for a South Korean airline since the 1997 Korean Air crash and the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, which has a strong safety record. Authorities are working to identify the victims, with some only identifiable by fingerprints.
The crash has deeply affected the nation, already reeling from political turmoil. Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the site to offer condolences, and Jeju Air’s management expressed their sincere apologies, vowing to fully cooperate in the investigation. Boeing, the manufacturer of the jet, has also been in contact with the airline.
