A Jeju Air jetliner skidded off a runway, collided with a concrete fence, and burst into flames on Sunday in South Korea, resulting in one of the nation’s deadliest aviation disasters. Of the 181 people on board, 179 lost their lives, while two crew members miraculously survived with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.
The incident occurred in Muan, a town approximately 290 kilometers south of Seoul. The ill-fated Boeing 737-800 had departed from Bangkok and was attempting to land when its landing gear reportedly failed to deploy.
Television footage showed the plane sliding at high speed across the airstrip, its landing gear seemingly closed, before crashing into a concrete wall and triggering an explosion. Black smoke and flames engulfed the aircraft as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Survivors and Emergency Response
The South Korean fire agency confirmed the death toll at 179. Two crew members were rescued from the wreckage and were conscious when pulled out. Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of Muan’s fire station, described the plane as being completely destroyed, with only the tail assembly recognizable. Speaking to reporters, he said, “We are investigating all possible causes, including bird strikes.
The control tower had warned the aircraft crew about the presence of birds and suggested landing in an alternate area shortly before the crash. Despite this, the crew issued a distress signal moments before the disaster.
One survivor, whose name was not disclosed, is being treated for fractures in his ribs, shoulder blade, and spine at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. “He told us he woke up to find himself rescued,” said Dr. Ju Woong, the hospital’s director. No details were available regarding the second survivor.
Investigation Underway
Transport Ministry official Joo Jong-wan confirmed that investigators have retrieved the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which will play a crucial role in determining the cause of the crash. However, Joo warned that it could take months to conclude the investigation. The Muan airport runway will remain closed until January 1 to facilitate the probe.
Aviation expert Kyle Bailey, a former FAA safety team representative, speculated that the aircraft’s high speed contributed to the catastrophe. “It appears the plane struck a structure housing instrument landing equipment,” Bailey told Fox News. “That’s likely what spelled disaster.”
Victims and Condolences
The majority of passengers were South Korean nationals, with two from Thailand. Fire officials identified 88 victims in the hours following the tragedy. Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her sympathies in a social media post, stating, “I have directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide assistance.”
One of the Thai victims was Jongluk Duangmanee, who had worked in South Korea for years and recently returned to Thailand to visit her family. “I never thought this would be the last time we’d see each other,” said her grieving father, Boonchuay Duangmanee, in an interview with The Associated Press.
Kerati Kijmanawat, director of Thailand’s airports, confirmed that Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 departed from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport without any reported issues.
Statements from Jeju Air and Boeing
Jeju Air released a statement expressing its “deep apology” and pledged to manage the aftermath of the crash. Company president Kim E-bae, along with senior officials, apologized to the victims’ families during a televised press conference, saying, “We accept full responsibility for this tragedy.” Kim emphasized that the aircraft had undergone regular maintenance checks and that the company awaits the official investigation results.
Boeing also offered its support in a statement on social media, affirming its commitment to assisting Jeju Air during this difficult time.
Government Response and Mourning Period
South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and urged officials to expedite the identification of victims. “The government has declared Muan a special disaster zone,” Choi announced, adding that a weeklong national mourning period has been established.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, embroiled in a political crisis following his imposition of martial law, expressed his condolences via social media. Yoon’s office reported that senior staff held an emergency meeting to address the disaster. Meanwhile, Pope Francis joined global leaders in mourning, stating from Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, “I pray for the survivors and the deceased.”
Historical Context of Aviation Disasters
The Muan crash is among the deadliest in South Korea’s aviation history. The country’s last major air disaster occurred in 1997 when a Korean Air plane crashed in Guam, killing 228 people. In 2013, an Asiana Airlines flight crash-landed in San Francisco, resulting in three fatalities and injuring approximately 200 passengers.
Globally, the Muan crash is reminiscent of other tragic landing mishaps. In 2007, an Airbus A320 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, slid off a wet runway and crashed into a nearby building, killing all 187 on board and 12 others on the ground. Similarly, in 2010, an Air India Express plane overshot a runway in Mangalore, India, and fell into a gorge, leaving 158 dead.
Grieving Families and National Shock
At Muan airport, grieving relatives sobbed as officials read out the names of identified victims. “This is a tragedy that will forever scar our nation,” said one mourning family member.
As South Korea struggles to come to terms with this disaster, the focus remains on uncovering the cause of the crash and providing support to the bereaved families.