A tragic accident unfolded at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, as a Jeju Air flight skidded off the runway and collided with a concrete fence, resulting in the deaths of 179 people. The catastrophic event, one of the worst in the nation’s aviation history, was attributed to a malfunction in the aircraft’s landing gear, according to South Korea’s National Fire Agency (NFA) and Yonhap News Agency.
The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members on a return flight from Thailand. The incident occurred at 9:07 a.m. local time on Sunday when the plane attempted to land at the airport, located approximately 180 miles south of Seoul.
Casualties and Survivors
The NFA confirmed that the fatalities included 84 women, 82 men, and 11 individuals whose genders could not be immediately determined due to the severity of the injuries. Remarkably, two crew members, a man and a woman, survived the crash.
Rescue teams discovered the survivors in the tail section of the plane, which retained some structural integrity. “The rest of the aircraft looks almost impossible to recognize,” stated Muan Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun during a press briefing. Both survivors were conscious when rescued and were immediately transported to nearby hospitals.
One survivor, a man in critical condition, is receiving intensive care at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. Dr. Ju Woong, director of the hospital, reported that the man suffered fractures to his ribs, shoulder blade, and upper spine but is expected to recover. The survivor recounted waking up to find himself being rescued from the wreckage.
Crash Details and Investigation
According to initial reports, the crash occurred when the plane’s front landing gear failed to deploy, causing the aircraft to lose control and slam into a concrete barrier. The impact caused a massive fire, with smoke billowing from the wreckage, as seen in photos shared by local media.
Transport Ministry officials have retrieved the flight data recorder from the plane’s black box and are continuing their search for the cockpit voice recorder to better understand the events leading up to the crash.
Global Reaction
This accident has sent shockwaves across South Korea and the global aviation community. Jeju Air, a prominent low-cost carrier in the region, has expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety and maintenance in the budget airline sector. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous checks and standards in the aviation industry.
As the nation mourns this devastating loss, the investigation into the exact cause of the crash remains ongoing. Authorities are determined to ensure accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.