In the worst South Korean plane crash, a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people burst into flames after veering off the runway and colliding with a concrete wall at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning. Authorities fear only two survivors have been rescued, with the rest presumed dead, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The accident occurred at 9:07 AM as the flight returned from Bangkok. The plane attempted to land without deploying its landing gear, skidding along the runway before crashing into a fence and erupting into flames. Most passengers were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals also onboard.
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Videos of a South Korean plane crash broadcast by local media showed the dramatic landing and fiery explosion. Firefighters confirmed 85 fatalities so far, and recovery operations are underway to retrieve the remaining victims. The two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—were rushed to a hospital in Mokpo for treatment.
Authorities suspect a potential landing gear failure, possibly caused by a bird strike, as the reason behind the tragedy. Investigators are on-site to determine the exact cause.
In response, South Jeolla officials raised emergency alerts to the highest level, deploying all available rescue teams to the crash site. Acting President Choi Sang-mok arrived at the scene by noon, pledging government support for the victims’ families. He expressed heartfelt condolences and directed officials to intensify search efforts.
Meanwhile, the presidential office convened an emergency meeting led by Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk to coordinate the government’s response. Acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young also ordered police and rescue agencies to work closely to manage the crisis.
This marks one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters in years.