A Jeju Air plane, carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea, crashed on arrival at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The Boeing 737-8AS collided with a barrier after its belly-landing, bursting into flames. Authorities confirmed 96 deaths, with only two survivors both flight attendants rescued so far.
The aircraft skidded off the runway without wheels, and a wall struck it, causing an explosion. Passengers were flung out due to the force of the crash, and officials say it left little chance of survival. Rescue teams struggled to identify the victims because the plane was nearly destroyed.
Initial investigations suggest a bird strike and poor weather conditions contributed to the crash. Emergency crews rushed to the site, where the fire was quickly put out. Muan’s fire station chief, Lee Jeong-hyun, stated that a thorough investigation is ongoing.
The crash occurred at 9:03 AM local time, with 175 passengers and six crew members onboard. The rescue effort involved over 30 fire trucks and numerous personnel. The flight had been heading from Bangkok to South Korea when it suffered catastrophic damage.
Jeju Air expressed deep sorrow, vowing to provide all possible support to the affected families. Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered the mobilization of all available resources to assist in the rescue operations.
This tragedy marks the first fatal crash for Jeju Air, which has been operating since 2005. South Korea’s aviation industry is known for its strong safety record. Despite several past incidents involving bird strikes, such as the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” this crash remains one of the country’s deadliest.
