South Korea Plane Crash at Muan International Airport Claims Over 120 Lives
29th Dec 2024
South Korean soldiers search for missing passengers near the wreckage of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, some 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul on December 29, 2024. A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea crashed on arrival December 29, colliding with a barrier and bursting into flames, with only two survivors rescued so far and 120 confirmed dead. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP/RSS)
A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crash-landed at Muan International Airport early today, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea’s recent history. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew, veered off the runway and collided with an airport wall, bursting into flames upon impact.
Rescue operations are underway, but authorities have confirmed at least 124 fatalities. Two crew members were pulled from the wreckage and are undergoing treatment for severe injuries. Most passengers are presumed to have perished in the crash.
Initial reports suggest a bird strike may have damaged the plane’s landing gear during descent, causing the crash. The South Korean Aviation Authority has launched an investigation, and a black box recovery team is working on-site.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical teams, are focused on recovering bodies and treating survivors. A temporary morgue has been established at the airport. All flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended indefinitely.
Jeju Air has expressed its condolences and pledged support for the victims’ families. South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered a comprehensive investigation and allocated emergency resources for recovery efforts.
This tragedy marks the worst air disaster in South Korea in nearly three decades and raises urgent questions about aviation safety protocols. Further updates are awaited as rescue and investigative operations continue.
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