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All except two of the 181 people on board the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok are presumed dead after the aircraft crashed during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, according to Yonhap News.
The accident occurred at 9:07 a.m. local time during the plane’s second attempt to land after a failed initial approach. Officials said a malfunction in the landing gear likely prevented a safe landing.
“The front landing gear did not appear to deploy, forcing the aircraft into a crash landing,” a fire department official explained. Footage from local TV showed the plane skidding uncontrollably across the runway before slamming into a fence. Witnesses described thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage as flames consumed the aircraft.
The crash occurred at Muan International Airport, located in South Jeolla Province in southwestern South Korea. Emergency services temporarily closed the airport as they worked to contain the fire and rescue survivors.
The Jeju Air flight, en route from Bangkok to South Korea, carried 181 passengers and six crew members. The plane reportedly faced issues with its front landing gear, which likely failed to deploy during its final approach to Muan International Airport, according to a report by Yonhap news agency.
Authorities stated the aircraft attempted an emergency landing after a failed initial attempt but veered off the runway, colliding with a concrete fence at around 9:07 a.m. local time. Witnesses and footage from the scene showed the Boeing 737-800 skidding uncontrollably before erupting into flames.
The resulting fire severely damaged the plane, with emergency responders describing it as “almost completely destroyed.” Firefighters used 32 fire trucks and helicopters to extinguish the blaze, but debris and flames made rescue operations challenging, reported by CNN.
Two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—were pulled alive from the wreckage, while the remaining victims succumbed to the fire and impact.
South Korea’s transport ministry confirmed that the passengers were primarily South Korean nationals, though two Thai nationals were among those onboard. Families of the victims have been notified as the nation mourns the loss of life.
An official investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that a bird strike may have damaged the landing gear, leading to its failure.
“We are committed to uncovering the cause of this tragedy and ensuring aviation safety,” said a transport ministry spokesperson.
The crash occurred amid political instability in South Korea. Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who stepped into the role just two days earlier, has mobilised all available resources for rescue and recovery efforts.
“This is a national tragedy, and we will prioritise providing support to the victims and their families,” Choi said in a statement.
Choi’s leadership comes during a period of turmoil, as President Yoon Suk Yeol was recently suspended following a controversial martial law decision. His interim replacement, Han Duck-soo, was impeached shortly thereafter, leaving Choi to lead the country during this critical moment.
The tragic crash has left South Korea grieving, with authorities vowing to uncover the causes and improve safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
(with inputs from agencies)
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