A catastrophic plane crash occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport in South Korea, claiming the lives of 179 people aboard Jeju Air flight 7C2216. The flight, traveling from Thailand to South Korea, crashed during its landing approach. Authorities suspect a bird strike caused the accident, making this the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korean history.
The Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 people, including 179 passengers and two flight attendants, was attempting to land when it lost control, likely due to the bird strike. The plane skidded off the runway, landing on its belly, with smoke streaming from the engines before crashing into a barrier and exploding in flames. Only two survivors, both flight attendants, were rescued from the wreckage. All 179 other people aboard, including passengers and crew, were confirmed dead. Many passengers were ejected from the aircraft during the crash, leaving little chance of survival.
As of the latest updates, 65 of the deceased have been identified, with DNA retrieval operations underway to identify the remaining victims. Both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered to assist in the investigation. Authorities have suggested that a bird strike may have led to the crash, as such incidents can result in engine failure if birds are ingested into the aircraft’s engines.
In response to the tragedy, South Korea declared a seven-day national mourning period. Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and convened an emergency cabinet meeting. Memorial altars will be set up across the country for the public to pay their respects.
International leaders expressed their shock and condolences, with Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Pope Francis among those extending their sympathy to the victims’ families and the people of South Korea. Other countries, including France, Germany, and Turkey, also offered condolences.
Jeju Air, South Korea’s leading low-cost carrier, expressed deep regret for the tragedy. The airline’s executives held a press conference to apologize and pledged to provide assistance to the victims’ families and fully cooperate with the investigation.
This crash is Jeju Air’s first fatal incident since its establishment in 2005. While the airline experienced a minor accident in 2007, this marks a devastating moment in the airline’s history and the country’s aviation industry, which has generally been regarded for its safety record.
Investigators are focusing on the bird strike theory as the cause of the crash. They are working to analyze the recovered wreckage, and experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Boeing are expected to assist in the investigation.
Rescue teams continued their efforts overnight, recovering bodies from the wreckage and searching through scattered debris. Family members of the victims gathered at the airport, anxiously awaiting updates on their loved ones. The nation is grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event, as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
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