SEOUL, Dec 29, (V7N) – A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to South Korea crashed during landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, leaving 96 confirmed dead and only two survivors, both of whom are flight attendants.

The tragedy occurred at 9:03 am local time when the Boeing 737-8AS collided with a barrier after landing on its belly, skidding off the runway and bursting into flames. Emergency officials described the aircraft as "almost completely destroyed," with passengers ejected from the plane on impact.

Possible Causes

Authorities have cited a potential bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions as likely causes of the crash, though a joint investigation will confirm the exact reason.

"The plane’s impact with the barrier and subsequent explosion left little chance of survival for most passengers," said Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station. He added that the crash marked one of the worst aviation disasters in South Korea's recent history.

Rescue Operations

Emergency teams mobilized 32 fire engines and dozens of firefighters to the crash site. The initial fire was extinguished, and recovery operations are ongoing. However, identifying the deceased has proven difficult due to the extensive destruction of the aircraft.

"The process is slow and painstaking as we work to locate and recover remains," a fire department spokesperson said.

The Ministry of Land confirmed there were 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, and six crew members onboard.

Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath

Video footage of the crash showed the plane landing without its wheels deployed, skidding along the runway before crashing into a wall and erupting into flames. Images from the site revealed the charred tail section of the aircraft, surrounded by firefighters and emergency personnel.

Jeju Air issued an apology and vowed full cooperation in rescue and investigative efforts. "We sincerely apologize for this tragedy and will provide all necessary support to those affected," the airline said in a statement.

Government Response

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for all available resources to be deployed in rescue efforts. "This is a devastating tragedy," Choi said after convening an emergency meeting with cabinet members. He also visited Muan to oversee the response.

"We are dedicating every resource to support the victims and their families during this time of immense grief," Choi stated.

Context and Aviation Safety

This is the first fatal accident in the history of Jeju Air, a prominent low-cost carrier established in 2005. Despite this tragedy, South Korea's aviation industry has a strong safety record, with few major incidents in recent years.

The crash has reignited concerns about the risks posed by bird strikes, which have been responsible for several fatal aviation accidents worldwide. In 2009, a bird strike famously forced a US Airways flight to make an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River, an incident known as the "Miracle on the Hudson" due to the absence of fatalities.

As investigations continue, South Korea and the international aviation community will examine the findings closely to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. Further updates will follow as recovery efforts and inquiries progress.

END/WD/RH/