MUAN (SOUTH KOREA), Dec 29, (V7N) – A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed upon arrival at Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 passengers in what has become South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster. Only two flight attendants survived, rescued from the wreckage with serious injuries.

Authorities suspect a bird strike as the cause of the crash. Video footage showed the Boeing 737-800 landing on its belly, skidding off the runway before colliding with a barrier and bursting into flames.

Devastating Loss

The crash flung passengers out of the aircraft, leaving the plane "almost completely destroyed," according to fire officials. Of the victims, 65 have been identified, with authorities beginning DNA retrieval to identify the rest.

Family members gathered at the airport terminal, many breaking into tears as the names of identified victims were announced. "My younger sister went to heaven today," said Jo, a grieving 65-year-old woman.

Among the passengers were two Thai nationals, while the rest were South Korean, including a three-year-old boy and a 78-year-old woman.

The two survivors—a 33-year-old male flight attendant and a 25-year-old female crew member—are recovering in separate hospitals in Seoul. The male flight attendant reportedly told doctors, “When I woke up, I had already been rescued.”

Investigation Underway

Both black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—have been recovered, offering critical clues for investigators. Deputy Transport Minister Joo Jong-wan confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with preliminary findings pointing to a bird strike.

Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station, dismissed speculation about the runway length being a factor, emphasizing that the bird strike likely caused the loss of control.

National Mourning Declared

Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared a seven-day national mourning period and visited the crash site. Memorial altars will be set up nationwide for people to pay their respects.

Jeju Air, which has maintained a solid safety record since its establishment in 2005, issued a public apology, with officials bowing deeply at a press conference. Boeing has pledged its support to the investigation and the airline.

History of Bird Strike Incidents

Bird strikes have caused several aviation accidents worldwide, as birds sucked into engines can lead to power loss. This crash marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history, despite a 2007 incident where a Jeju Air Bombardier Q400 skidded off the runway in Busan, causing injuries but no fatalities.

The wreckage of the plane, including charred debris and scattered luggage, stands as a stark reminder of the tragedy. Rescue teams worked through the night under floodlights, using cranes to clear the site.

South Korea’s aviation safety record has been lauded in the past, but this catastrophic event underscores the unpredictable risks faced by air travel. A full investigation is expected to shed light on what led to this devastating loss of life.

END/WD/RH/