Plane Crash in South Korea Leaves 179 Dead and Two Survivors
A devastating plane crash occurred on Sunday in Muan, South Korea, resulting in the loss of 179 lives and leaving only two survivors. The incident involved a Jeju Air plane that was attempting to land at the time of the crash.
According to authorities, the plane was carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members. The two survivors were crew members who managed to escape the burning plane.
The cause of the crash is believed to be a bird strike, combined with adverse weather conditions. The control tower had warned the crew of a potential collision with birds, and the pilot issued a warning message shortly before the crash.
The plane, a Boeing 737-8AS, was covering a flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Muan, South Korea. The accident occurred at 09:03 local time, and the plane crashed upon landing, becoming engulfed in flames after colliding with a barrier.
Local television station MBC showed images of the plane’s landing, with smoke billowing from its engines before the crash. A fire official explained that the passengers were ejected from the plane after colliding with the barrier, leaving little chance of survival.
The plane was almost completely destroyed, making it difficult to identify the remains. Relatives of the victims waited for information at the terminal, where the names, dates of birth, and nationality of the victims were displayed on screens.
Response and Investigation
The interim head of state, Choi Sang-mok, chaired an emergency government meeting and visited Muan in the afternoon. The plane’s manufacturer, Boeing, stated that it is in contact with Jeju Air and is willing to provide support.
Jeju Air, a South Korean low-cost airline, offered its sincere apologies for the incident. The exact cause of the crash will be announced after a joint investigation.
Victims and Survivors
All the passengers were Korean except for two Thais, according to the authorities. The youngest victim was 3 years old, and the oldest was 78. The two survivors were crew members who are currently receiving medical attention.
Relatives of the victims expressed their grief and shock at the terminal, where they waited for information about their loved ones. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.