- विज्ञापन -
Seoul: On December 29, a passenger jet with 181 people aboard caught fire after veering off the runway and crashing into a wall at Muan International Airport in South Korea’s South Jeolla Province. The incident happened around 9:07 a.m. as the Jeju Air flight, returning from Bangkok, attempted to land. Reports indicate that all but two individuals are expected to be deceased, with firefighting authorities confirming 85 fatalities so far.
The only survivors, a female passenger and a female crew member, were rescued shortly after the crash and are currently receiving medical treatment in Mokpo.
Local TV footage shows the aircraft landing without its landing gear extended, skidding across the runway before hitting a concrete wall and erupting in flames. The explosion consumed most of the plane, which was largely destroyed.
In response to the tragedy, South Jeolla officials elevated emergency alerts to the highest level and dispatched all available rescue and police personnel to the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that a failure of the landing gear, potentially caused by a bird strike, may have contributed to the accident. Authorities have initiated a thorough inquiry to determine the exact cause.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site, urging officials to prioritize search and rescue operations and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, promising them government support. An emergency meeting of senior officials was scheduled by the presidential office to discuss the government’s response to the disaster, led by Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk. The Acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young also instructed officials to deploy all available resources in conjunction with firefighting and other agencies for rescue operations.
