A catastrophic plane crash in South Korea has claimed the lives of nearly all passengers on board, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in the country’s history.
The incident occurred when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers, burst into flames upon landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province.
The ill-fated flight, identified as 7C 2216, was travelling from Bangkok, Thailand, and arrived at the airport at 9 a.m. local time. Video footage shared online shows the aircraft veering off the runway, crashing into a concrete wall, and erupting in flames.
Of the 181 passengers, only two members of the flight crew survived. They were rescued from the tail section of the wreckage. Search and recovery operations are ongoing as emergency teams work at the scene.
While the exact cause of the crash has not been officially confirmed, early investigations suggest a bird strike may have contributed to the disaster.
South Korea’s transport ministry reported that communication records indicate the airport control tower issued a bird strike warning to the flight shortly before landing. The tower also permitted the pilot to land on an alternate runway.
The plane was on fire after crashing into a wall (Picture: AP)
Officials stated the aircraft collided with a concrete fence after its front landing gear appeared to fail, igniting a massive fire. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing flames from the aircraft’s right engine during its approach.
Aviation expert Marco Chan from Buckinghamshire New University suggested that bird ingestion into the engines may have led to hydraulic system failures, preventing the deployment of the landing gear.
The bird strike warning was issued at 8:57 a.m., just six minutes before the crash. The crew declared a Mayday at 8:58 a.m. and attempted to land on the opposite runway, which is 2,800 meters long.
According to Chan, the tight timeline may have limited the crew’s ability to troubleshoot or divert to an alternate airport.
Over 1,500 emergency personnel, including 490 firefighters and 455 police officers, have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery operations.
Investigators have already retrieved a flight recorder from the wreckage to help determine the precise cause of the crash.
Acting President Choi Sang-Mok has declared Muan County a special disaster zone. In a statement, Choi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families:
“We face a grave situation where a significant loss of life has occurred after a plane went off the runway in Muan airport this morning. I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and bereaved families.
The government will do everything possible to ensure the injured recover swiftly.”
Muan International Airport, located in the South Jeolla Province, is now the focus of the nation’s grief as authorities and aviation experts work to understand the factors that led to this tragic accident.
