Another Aviation Accident: Passenger Plane Explodes in South Korea
World
Today, December 29, a Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 people exploded after veering off the runway and crashing into a wall at an airport in southern South Korea. The tragic accident left nearly all passengers dead, with only two survivors rescued. This was reported by Yonhap News Agency.
The incident occurred at 9:07 AM local time. The Jeju Air flight veered off the runway during landing and collided with a wall at Muan International Airport, resulting in a fire.
Apart from the two survivors, it is believed that everyone on board perished. Firefighters are conducting search operations to recover the bodies.
According to officials, the death of 122 people has been confirmed so far.
"After the plane collided with the wall, passengers were thrown out of the aircraft. The chances of survival are very low," a fire service official stated.
"The plane is almost completely destroyed, making it difficult to identify the deceased," the official added. "We are in the process of recovering remains, which will take time."
One passenger and one crew member — both women — were rescued shortly after the incident. They are receiving treatment at a hospital in Mokpo, with their injuries not deemed life-threatening.
The Boeing 737-800 plane, which departed Bangkok at 1:30 AM, was carrying a total of 181 people, including six crew members. It was scheduled to arrive in Muan around 8:30 AM.
Besides two Thai nationals, most of the passengers were South Koreans.
A temporary morgue has been set up at Muan Airport to store the victims' remains.
Footage aired by local TV channels shows the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed. It skidded across the ground, collided with a concrete wall, and burst into flames.
Officials believe the accident may have been caused by a landing gear malfunction, possibly due to a bird strike. An on-site investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and declared Muan County a special disaster zone. He ordered authorities to make every effort in the search operations.
Choi also expressed his deepest condolences to the victims' families and pledged comprehensive government assistance.
Apart from the two survivors, it is believed that everyone on board perished. Firefighters are conducting search operations to recover the bodies.
According to officials, the death of 122 people has been confirmed so far.
"After the plane collided with the wall, passengers were thrown out of the aircraft. The chances of survival are very low," a fire service official stated.
"The plane is almost completely destroyed, making it difficult to identify the deceased," the official added. "We are in the process of recovering remains, which will take time."
One passenger and one crew member — both women — were rescued shortly after the incident. They are receiving treatment at a hospital in Mokpo, with their injuries not deemed life-threatening.
The Boeing 737-800 plane, which departed Bangkok at 1:30 AM, was carrying a total of 181 people, including six crew members. It was scheduled to arrive in Muan around 8:30 AM.
Besides two Thai nationals, most of the passengers were South Koreans.
A temporary morgue has been set up at Muan Airport to store the victims' remains.
Footage aired by local TV channels shows the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed. It skidded across the ground, collided with a concrete wall, and burst into flames.
Officials believe the accident may have been caused by a landing gear malfunction, possibly due to a bird strike. An on-site investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and declared Muan County a special disaster zone. He ordered authorities to make every effort in the search operations.
Choi also expressed his deepest condolences to the victims' families and pledged comprehensive government assistance.
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