SEOUL, Dec 29, (V7N) – A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea crashed during landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday, leaving 29 people dead, with rescue operations ongoing, officials confirmed.

Crash and Rescue Operations

The Boeing 737-8AS, operating as Jeju Air Flight 2216, burst into flames upon landing at 9:03 a.m. local time (1203 GMT). Two individuals—a crew member and a passenger—were rescued from the wreckage, while 29 fatalities have been confirmed. The death toll could rise due to critical injuries, officials warned.

Rescue teams have been evacuating passengers from the rear section of the aircraft. The fire has been extinguished, and search operations are continuing at the crash site.

Incident Details

Footage from South Korean broadcasters showed the aircraft landing with smoke streaming from its engines. It slid along the runway on its belly, veered off the edge, and collided with an embankment before erupting in a fireball.

The back and front landing gears were reportedly not visible during the landing, suggesting a potential landing gear failure, possibly caused by a bird strike, according to preliminary reports.

Government Response

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an emergency response and the mobilization of all available resources to assist survivors. An emergency cabinet meeting has been convened to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts.

About the Flight

The aircraft carried 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, and six crew members. The crash marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air's history, a major South Korean low-cost carrier established in 2005.

South Korea's aviation industry is known for its strong safety record. However, this is a rare and tragic incident. In 2007, Jeju Air experienced a non-fatal runway overrun in Busan, and in 2023, an Asiana Airlines passenger opened an emergency exit mid-flight, though no fatalities occurred.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, focusing on potential technical failures or external factors such as bird strikes.

This disaster has shocked South Korea, raising concerns about aviation safety and highlighting the critical need for robust safety measures in the aviation sector.

END/WD/RH/