SEOUL, South Korea — A catastrophic incident occurred on Sunday when a passenger aircraft caught fire during its landing at an airport in South Korea, resulting in the tragic loss of 179 lives, marking one of the most devastating aviation disasters in the country’s history. Only two individuals survived, as reported by officials.
Video footage captured the aircraft skidding along the runway, overshooting its designated landing area, and crashing into a barrier approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Initial assessments indicate that the plane’s front landing gear was likely not deployed at the time of landing.
In the moments leading up to the tragedy, the pilot transmitted a distress signal shortly before the plane overran the runway. Broadcasts from South Korean television networks displayed the harrowing scene as the aircraft skidded past the runway and struck a containment barrier, subsequently igniting a massive fireball. Thick clouds of smoke were seen billowing from the jet, fully engulfed in flames.
The Boeing 737-800, aged 15 years, was arriving from Bangkok when the disaster occurred around 9:03 a.m. on Sunday in the town of Muan. Authorities have retrieved the black box containing flight data and cockpit voice recordings, which will be scrutinized by government officials as they investigate the causes behind the crash and the resultant inferno, according to Joo Jong-wan from the Senior Transport Ministry.
The ill-fated flight was operated by Jeju Air and was carrying a total of 181 passengers and crew members. Among them, 179 tragically lost their lives, leaving only two crew members as survivors, as stated by officials. Grieving family members reacted with anguish when authorities began releasing the names of the victims at a designated area in Muan airport.
In a heartfelt statement, Kim E-bae, the president of Jeju Air, bowed in apology alongside other top officials, expressing profound remorse and claiming “full responsibility” for the incident. Boeing also shared condolences and expressed its willingness to assist Jeju Air in coping with the aftermath of the crash. In light of the tragedy, the government has designated Muan as a special disaster zone.
Investigations are ongoing, and while it may take several months to determine the exact causes of the crash, preliminary inquiries are exploring various possibilities, including a potential bird strike. Lee Jeong-hyeon, the chief of the Muan fire station, indicated that officials are investigating a bird strike as a potential factor, noting that the airport control tower issued a warning just before the plane’s landing, recommending an alternate landing area to the pilot. The aircraft was left in ruins, with only the tail section remaining identifiable amidst the debris, according to the fire chief.
This incident occurred during a tumultuous period in South Korean politics, as the country navigates a political crisis brought on by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok assumed leadership, visiting the crash site and calling for all necessary resources to be deployed in the search for victims and the identification of those lost. The government has declared a weeklong national mourning period lasting through Saturday.
Yoon’s administration convened an emergency meeting to discuss the tragedy, with chief secretary Chung Jin-suk informing the president of the details, and Yoon extending his sympathies to the families of the victims. Global leaders have expressed their condolences as South Korea grapples with this tragedy.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, offered heartfelt respect to the bereaved families and instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide immediate assistance. Pope Francis also conveyed his sadness from St. Peter’s Square, while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his sorrow over the significant loss of life. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also extended his condolences during this difficult time.
