Muan, South Korea: A devastating plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday has claimed the lives of at least 62 passengers. The Jeju Air flight, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, veered off the runway and collided with a wall, erupting into flames upon landing.
Details of the Crash
The crash occurred at approximately 9 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) as the Boeing 737-800 jet, operating as flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land. Video footage shared by local media shows the aircraft skidding down the runway without its landing gear fully extended, leading to a fiery explosion upon impact.
Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations are ongoing, with at least 58 bodies recovered so far. Two crew members and one passenger were pulled from the wreckage alive and are receiving medical attention. Authorities are focusing their efforts on the tail section of the aircraft, where more passengers may still be trapped.
The national fire agency confirmed the death toll, though the number of casualties is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered. The passengers reportedly included two Thai nationals, with the remainder believed to be South Koreans.
Response from Authorities
South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an all-out rescue operation and convened an emergency meeting to coordinate efforts. All domestic and international flights at Muan International Airport have been canceled following the tragedy.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains unclear. Jeju Air is working to gather details about the incident, while Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration have yet to comment. Initial reports suggest the aircraft’s landing gear may have malfunctioned, contributing to the disaster.
This marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in South Korea’s recent history. Rescue teams continue their search efforts, and authorities are expected to release further updates as investigations progress.
