Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.Ahn Young-joon/AP
A tragic plane crash occurred on Sunday morning at Muan International Airport in South Korea, leaving 179 people dead and only two survivors. The Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737, was attempting to land around 9 a.m. local time when it skidded off the runway and collided with a wall. Authorities confirmed the crash involved 175 passengers and six crew members.
The two survivors, a male and female crew member, are currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency services rushed to the scene immediately after the accident, but the intense fire made rescue operations extremely challenging.
Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport reported that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly referred to as “black boxes,” have been recovered. Investigators believe these devices will provide crucial insights into the cause of the accident.
Preliminary findings suggest the control tower had warned the pilots about a possible bird strike moments before the crash. Shortly after, the pilots issued a mayday distress signal. Eyewitness footage showed flames and thick smoke rising from the wreckage, and experts suspect a malfunction in the landing gear may have played a role.
The identification of victims remains a painstaking process, with authorities relying on DNA samples for confirmation due to the extent of the damage. Out of the 179 casualties, 141 have been identified so far, with efforts ongoing for the remaining victims.
The South Korean government has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. Jeju Air issued an apology, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incident and pledging full cooperation with authorities.
World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed their condolences. President Biden assured South Korea of any assistance required in the aftermath of this devastating event.
As rescue and investigation efforts continue, the tragedy has left the nation in mourning, with families desperately seeking closure amid the unimaginable loss.
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