Tragedy Strikes South Korea as Jeju Air Flight Crashes, Killing 179

In what has been described as South Korea’s worst aviation disaster, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 plane carrying 181 people crashed upon arrival at Muan International Airport on Sunday, leaving 179 passengers dead.

The two survivors, both flight attendants, were rescued from the charred wreckage.

The flight, originating from Thailand, encountered a catastrophic bird strike as it attempted to land.

Officials stated that the impact flung passengers from the aircraft as it skidded off the runway, smashed into a barrier, and burst into flames.

Video footage showed the plane landing on its belly, smoke billowing from the engines before it veered off the runway and exploded.

Rescue teams, working under floodlights, used cranes to lift the burned-out fuselage, with bits of seats and luggage scattered across the field near the crash site.

“The plane is almost completely destroyed,” said Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of the Muan fire station.

Fire officials confirmed that DNA retrieval had commenced to identify victims, with 65 passengers identified so far.

In the airport terminal, grief-stricken family members awaited updates, their cries echoing as names of the identified victims were read aloud.

Jeju Air Flight 2216 was minutes away from landing when the control tower alerted the crew of a potential bird strike. Shortly after, the pilot issued a “mayday” call.

The plane’s attempt to land ended tragically as it collided with a wall after skidding off the tarmac.

Authorities dismissed speculation that the runway’s length contributed to the crash.

Investigators have retrieved the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the exact cause of the disaster.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and convened an emergency cabinet meeting, declaring a seven-day national mourning period.

“The entire government is working closely together to manage the aftermath of this tragedy and support the bereaved families,” Choi stated.

Jeju Air, established in 2005, issued an apology during a press conference, with top officials bowing deeply. Boeing also pledged its support for the ongoing investigation.

This is the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history, though the airline previously experienced a runway incident in 2007.

South Korea’s aviation industry has a strong safety record, making this disaster particularly shocking.

Bird strikes, while rare, have caused significant aviation accidents worldwide. In 2009, a US Airways flight famously landed in the Hudson River after bird strikes on both engines, with no fatalities in what became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

The crash has left South Korea reeling, with memorial altars planned nationwide to honor the victims. Among the deceased were two Thai nationals, with the youngest passenger being just three years old.

As the investigation continues, the country unites in grief, vowing to uncover the causes of the tragedy and prevent future incidents.