A deadly plane crash in South Korea on Sunday resulted in the death of at least 176 people after a Jeju Air flight skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport and collided with a concrete fence. Witnesses reported seeing flames in the engine of the aircraft and hearing explosions during the incident, leading to speculation of a potential landing gear failure caused by a bird strike. Videos show the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed, adding to the confusion surrounding the crash. Emergency workers were able to rescue two crew members in conscious and stable conditions, but three people still remained missing following the crash.
The plane involved in the crash was identified as a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. Boeing expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the crash and stated that they are ready to support Jeju Air during this difficult time. Witnesses near the airport described seeing sparks on the plane’s wing and hearing a series of explosions before the crash occurred. Another witness reported seeing the plane descending before noticing a flash of light, followed by a loud bang and the smell of smoke in the air. One witness, while fishing nearby, observed a flock of birds colliding with the plane, resulting in a fire in the right engine.
As investigations into the crash continue, authorities are looking into the possibility of a landing gear failure due to a bird strike. The South Korean Transport Ministry stated that the plane was carrying 181 people at the time of the collision, which happened around 9:03 a.m. local time. The incident has left many questions unanswered, with witnesses recounting moments leading up to the crash, including seeing the plane circling back around after failing to land in its initial attempt. The aftermath of the crash has left several people unaccounted for, adding to the tragedy of the situation.
Jeju Air, the airline involved in the crash, issued a statement expressing their deep apology for the incident and stating that they will do everything possible to manage the aftermath of the accident. The airline, along with authorities and investigators, will work diligently to uncover the cause of the crash and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future. The crash has prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from around the world, as the families of the victims and those impacted by the tragedy mourn the loss of loved ones. The investigation into the crash will likely shed more light on what exactly led to the deadly incident and what can be done to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
