A devastating plane crash in South Korea has claimed the lives of at least 174 passengers aboard a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, leaving only two survivors from the total of 181 individuals on the flight.
The ill-fated aircraft was traveling from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan, South Korea, when it tragically crashed during its landing at 9:03 a.m. local time. Preliminary videos depict the plane sliding on the runway with its landing gear still retracted before slamming into a wall and igniting into flames.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the crash site to assist any survivors. Currently, only two crew members have been rescued alive. The National Fire Agency of South Korea announced that among the deceased were 83 women, 80 men, and 11 individuals whose identities remain unclear due to the extent of fire damage.
In the aftermath, the tail section of the aircraft stands as the only recognizable piece in the wreckage. Investigative efforts are underway, with initial findings suggesting that the airport control tower had issued a warning about a potential bird strike moments before the tragic incident. The retrieval of flight data and cockpit voice recordings is a priority for detailed evaluation.
In response to the catastrophe, Jeju Air has released a public statement of apology, expressing profound sorrow for the event. The airline’s CEO, Kim E-bae, accepted full responsibility, noting that preliminary checks before the flight indicated no mechanical faults. Boeing has also expressed condolences and committed to assisting in the investigation.
This disaster occurs in the wake of another aviation tragedy, where a Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft carrying 67 passengers crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, leading to 38 fatalities.
For more updates, visit CNN for detailed coverage on this tragic incident.
