Muan County, South Korea – A devastating airliner crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport has left at least 124 people dead after Jeju Air flight 7C2216 failed to land safely on Sunday morning, erupting in a fiery explosion upon impact.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, with 181 people aboard, experienced a landing gear malfunction. Video footage showed the plane skidding down the runway without wheels before colliding with a wall, igniting into a fireball.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 1 p.m. local time, recovering the two crew members alive from the tail section of the plane. Authorities have since transitioned from rescue to recovery operations, searching the surrounding area for victims who may have been thrown from the wreckage.
The Deadliest Air Disaster in Three Decades
The crash is South Korea’s deadliest airline accident since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam, which killed over 200 people. Most of the 175 passengers and six crew are presumed dead, with recovery efforts hindered by the force of the impact and extensive fire damage.
“The tail section is barely recognizable, and the rest of the aircraft is completely destroyed,” Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun stated during a press briefing.
A temporary morgue has been set up near the crash site as authorities process the remains. The site reeks of aviation fuel and blood, with rescue teams and soldiers scouring the debris for clues.
Possible Bird Strike and Mayday Call
Investigators are exploring potential causes, including weather and bird strikes. A warning about bird activity was issued shortly before the crash, and the pilots declared a mayday seconds before their landing attempt.
One passenger texted a relative reporting a bird stuck in the wing before sending their ominous final message: “Should I say my last words?”
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, expressed deep regret, pledging full cooperation with the investigation and prioritizing support for grieving families.
Flight Operations Halted
Muan International Airport has suspended all domestic and international flights. Interim President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site, pledging the government’s full support for the recovery efforts.
The tragic incident marks a grim chapter for Jeju Air, a low-cost carrier established in 2005. The crashed aircraft, manufactured in 2009, had no prior record of accidents.
Boeing issued a statement offering condolences, stating it was in contact with Jeju Air and ready to assist in the investigation.
This catastrophe leaves the nation mourning and raises questions about aviation safety in the region. Further details will emerge as investigations proceed.