South Korea – Tragedy struck this morning (Dec 29) as a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people crashed while landing at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, leaving at least 179 feared dead.
The Boeing 737-800, arriving from Bangkok, veered off the runway at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, smashing into a wall before erupting into flames. Smoke and debris engulfed the wreckage as the plane’s structure disintegrated upon impact. Video footage aired by local media showed the twin-engine aircraft skidding without landing gear before the catastrophic explosion.
Rescue operations are ongoing. Officials reported that 33 bodies have been recovered, while two survivors were found alive. Emergency responders are still working to reach passengers trapped in the tail section of the aircraft. Authorities confirmed that most of the passengers were South Korean nationals, with two Thai citizens among those on board.
Jeju Air stated that it is actively investigating the cause of the crash. South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for a coordinated response, convening an emergency meeting to oversee rescue and recovery efforts.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have yet to comment on the incident, while South Korean aviation authorities are expected to provide updates as investigations proceed. This devastating accident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in South Korea’s recent history.
