Tragic Incident in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A devastating incident occurred on Sunday as a passenger plane skidded off the runway at a South Korean airport, leading to a tragic loss of life.
The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed while landing in Muan, approximately 290 kilometers south of Seoul. According to the Transport Ministry, the crash occurred at 9:03 a.m. when the aircraft’s front landing gear allegedly failed to deploy, resulting in the plane colliding with a concrete barrier before bursting into flames.
At least 177 individuals, which include 84 women, 82 men, and 11 others whose genders have yet to be identified, died in the incident. The South Korean fire agency confirmed that emergency workers managed to pull two crew members to safety, and they are currently in stable condition.
As rescue efforts continued, two individuals were reported missing over 12 hours after the crash. Officials have so far identified 57 of the deceased from the total recovered bodies. It is important to note that the majority of the passengers were South Korean, alongside two Thai nationals.
Emergency Response
In response to the crash, the fire agency deployed 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to extinguish the flames. About 1,570 firefighters, police officers, and other officials worked diligently at the site to manage the situation.
Footage from South Korean television networks showed the plane skidding at high speed across the runway with its landing gear still closed, culminating in a tragic collision with the concrete wall that led to an explosion and thick columns of black smoke engulfing the area.
Investigation Launched
Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan fire station, addressed the media, stating that the plane was completely destroyed, with the tail section being the only recognizable part. Investigators are exploring multiple possibilities for the crash’s cause, including the chance of a bird strike, as per communication records from the control tower warning of such a possibility shortly before landing.
Senior officials from the Transport Ministry confirmed that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been retrieved for investigation, indicating that a comprehensive inquiry could take several months. The Muan airport runway will remain closed until January 1st for further evaluations.
Condolences and Support
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, while Jeju Air released a statement expressing deep apologies and pledging to support affected individuals.
Jeju Air’s president, Kim E-bae, acknowledged their responsibility regarding the incident and noted that regular checks had not revealed any mechanical issues prior to the flight.
Family members mourned as officials began identifying the victims, with Boeing offering its support to Jeju Air during this painful time.
A Tragic Reminder
As reports pour in about this tragic event, it underscores the importance of aviation safety and the continuous need for improvements. The disaster is now recorded as one of the deadliest in South Korean aviation history, echoing similar tragedies from the past.
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