Jeju Air Plane Crashes at South Korea’s Muan Airport: Over 120 Dead, Rescue Operations Continue
Muan, South Korea, 29th December 2024: A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok tragically crashed during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, leaving at least 124 dead and several others feared to have perished. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft carried 181 individuals, including 175 passengers and six crew members.
Crash Details and Emergency Landing Attempt
The accident occurred at 5:37 AM local time (9:07 AM IST) when the plane attempted an emergency “belly landing” after its landing gear failed to deploy. The aircraft skidded on the runway, eventually crashing into the airport’s boundary wall, which led to a massive explosion. The plane was engulfed in flames within moments, burning almost entirely before the fire could be controlled.
According to reports, the pilot had attempted two landings. On the first approach, the faulty landing gear prevented a safe touchdown, prompting the pilot to circle the airport before attempting a second emergency landing. Authorities suspect the landing gear failure was caused by a bird strike, which reportedly damaged the aircraft’s wing and landing mechanism.
Rescue Operations and Fatalities
So far, 124 bodies have been recovered, and two individuals—both crew members—have been rescued alive. Many of the remaining 55 passengers are feared dead. Rescue teams continue efforts to retrieve individuals from the burned wreckage, focusing on the plane’s rear section, where most passengers were seated.
The fire, fueled by the plane’s jet fuel, took 43 minutes to extinguish, according to the airport’s fire chief. By the time it was under control, the aircraft had been reduced to ashes. Among the passengers, 173 were South Korean citizens and two were Thai nationals.
CEO Apologizes for the Tragedy
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae expressed profound grief over the incident and apologized to the public. “Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility for this tragic accident,” Kim stated. The company is reportedly cooperating fully with rescue operations and authorities. Officials confirmed that the aircraft, operational for 15 years, had no prior crash history.
Impact on Airport Operations
Following the accident, Muan International Airport suspended all operations, with both domestic and international flights canceled until further notice.
Other Recent Incidents
- Canada: Hours before the Jeju Air crash, a passenger plane skidded off the runway at Halifax Airport, causing a minor fire in its wing. No casualties were reported.
- Kazakhstan: On December 25, a flight from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near Aktau Airport, claiming 38 lives out of 67 passengers.
Authorities in South Korea have launched a thorough investigation into the Jeju Air crash, focusing on the suspected bird strike and mechanical failure. Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage for survivors and remains, while the nation mourns the heavy loss of life in one of its worst aviation tragedies.
