Early reports by the National Fire Agency of South Korea said that the Jeju Air plane crashed because of the plane's contact with birds. It is in the news that in a tragic aviation disaster, a Jeju Air passenger plane crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, leading to the deaths of 179 people. This incident, one of the most devastating in the country's aviation history, has resulted in a national outpouring of grief and a declaration of seven days of national mourning.
The accident occurred on Sunday at 9:03 am local time (00:03 GMT) when the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, attempted to land at Muan International Airport. The airport is located about 290 kilometers southwest of the South Korean capital, Seoul. The plane, a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet, skidded off the runway and crashed, resulting in a catastrophic fire.
The National Fire Agency confirmed that 179 people, comprising 85 women, 84 men, and 10 others whose genders were not immediately identifiable, lost their lives in the crash. Miraculously, two crew members were rescued from the wreckage. The fire that engulfed the plane has since been extinguished, but the extent of the devastation has made it difficult to identify all the victims. As of now, only 65 of the 179 victims have been identified.
Initial reports from the National Fire Agency suggest that the crash may have been caused by the plane's "contact with birds," which led to malfunctioning landing gear. Eyewitness accounts and media images indicate that the plane landed on its belly, skidded along the runway, and then exploded, resulting in a series of subsequent explosions and a large fire.
South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered an all-out rescue effort, mobilizing all available resources to save any survivors and manage the aftermath. Jeju Air, established in 2005 and one of South Korea's largest low-cost carriers, issued an apology and committed to fully responding to the accident. This crash marks the airline's first fatal incident, although it previously experienced a runway mishap in 2007 without fatalities.
Thailand's Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the presence of Thai passengers on the flight and is prepared to provide assistance. Local media reports indicate that a passenger texted a relative moments before the crash, mentioning a bird stuck in the plane's wing and expressing fears about their fate.
Images and videos circulating in the media show the plane engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the air. The tail section of the jet is seen ablaze, with firefighters and emergency vehicles surrounding the wreckage. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions and described the fire as catastrophic.
The South Korean government has declared a seven-day period of national mourning to honor the victims of the crash. This declaration underscores the profound impact of the disaster on the nation, marking it as the worst aviation incident in South Korean history.
Jeju Air, a prominent low-cost airline in South Korea, has been operational since 2005. The airline's previous safety record was relatively unblemished, with the most significant incident before this crash being a 2007 runway overrun in Busan Gimhae due to strong winds, which resulted in several injuries but no fatalities.
The crash comes amid a significant political crisis in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law has led to his impeachment. The political turmoil adds another layer of complexity to the country's response to the aviation disaster.
One poignant account from the crash includes a passenger who texted a relative to say a bird was stuck in the wing, with their final message being, "Should I say my last words?" This message highlights the sudden and terrifying nature of the crash and the personal tragedies experienced by those on board.
Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing. The presence of birds and their potential impact on the plane's landing gear is a primary focus. Aviation experts and safety agencies will be conducting thorough examinations to prevent future incidents and improve safety protocols.
The incident has brought global attention to aviation safety, particularly concerning bird strikes. Thousands of planes encounter birds in midair annually, posing significant risks to aviation safety. The crash underscores the need for enhanced measures to mitigate these risks and protect passengers and crew members.
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