Muan, South Korea – A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers and crew from Bangkok, Thailand, to South Korea tragically crashed on Sunday at Muan International Airport, leaving over 170 feared dead.
Authorities have cited a bird strike and adverse weather conditions as likely causes of the accident, which left the aircraft “almost completely destroyed,” according to local fire officials.
The Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight 2216, attempted to land at 9:03 a.m. local time but skidded off the runway, collided with a barrier, and burst into flames. Eyewitness video captured the aircraft landing on its belly, trailing smoke from its engines, before crashing into a wall and erupting in a fiery explosion.
Survivors and Fatalities
Out of the 181 onboard, only two individuals, both flight attendants, were rescued. By mid-afternoon, authorities confirmed 120 fatalities, with many more still unaccounted for. Fire officials reported that passengers were thrown from the aircraft upon impact, leaving little chance of survival.
“The wreckage is almost entirely destroyed, and the identification process is proving to be a difficult and time-consuming task,” said Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of the Muan Fire Station. Recovery efforts are ongoing as officials work to locate and identify the deceased.
Crash Details
The Ministry of Land reported that the incident unfolded within minutes, following a bird strike warning issued by the control tower just three minutes before the attempted landing. Two minutes before the crash, the pilot issued a Mayday call.
Officials dismissed speculation that the runway’s length played a role in the accident, stating that the 2,800-meter runway had safely accommodated similar-sized aircraft in the past.
“The presumed cause appears to be a combination of a bird strike and adverse weather conditions,” Lee added. “However, the exact cause will be determined after a thorough investigation.”
Response and Apologies
Jeju Air, a major South Korean low-cost carrier, expressed deep regret over the incident. “We sincerely apologise for causing concern and will do everything possible to support the affected families,” the airline said in a statement.
Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, announced that it was in contact with Jeju Air and ready to provide support during the investigation.
Government Response
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, convened an emergency meeting to coordinate rescue operations and support efforts. He later traveled to Muan to oversee the response personally.
“No words of consolation can ease the pain of the bereaved families,” Choi said. “The government is fully mobilized to manage the aftermath and provide support to those affected.”
Aviation History and Bird Strikes
The crash marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history since its founding in 2005. The airline previously experienced a non-fatal runway overrun in 2007 due to strong winds, resulting in several injuries.
Bird strikes, which pose a significant risk to aviation, have been linked to several fatal accidents worldwide. In 2009, a US Airways plane famously landed safely in New York’s Hudson River after a bird strike disabled both engines, in what became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
Rescue and recovery operations at the crash site are ongoing, with authorities urging patience as they work to uncover the full details of the tragic accident.
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