Newsroom
In a devastating aviation accident, a Jeju Air passenger plane burst into flames Sunday after skidding off the runway at Muan Airport in South Korea. The crash, one of the worst in the country’s history, claimed at least 167 lives, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
The Boeing 737-800, returning from Bangkok, attempted to land at 9:03 a.m. local time. Eyewitness footage shows the plane barreling down the runway at high speed with its front landing gear apparently failing to deploy. It overshot the runway, slammed into a concrete wall, and erupted in flames, leaving only the tail section recognizable among the wreckage.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene, saving two crew members who were conscious but injured. However, 167 passengers, including 79 men, 77 women, and 11 individuals whose genders remain unconfirmed, lost their lives. Another 12 passengers remain missing.
Preliminary reports indicate that the airport's control tower had issued a bird strike warning to the pilot before landing. Authorities confirmed the retrieval of the plane’s black box and cockpit voice recorder, which will be analyzed to determine the cause of the crash. Transport officials have noted that the runway will remain closed until January 1 for the investigation and repairs.
The crash also highlighted Jeju Air's safety record, with its president apologizing to families of the victims during a televised conference. The airline emphasized its commitment to working with authorities to uncover the cause.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended condolences to the victims’ families, as two Thai nationals were among the passengers. Boeing also expressed its sympathies and offered support to Jeju Air.
The accident is a grim reminder of South Korea’s previous aviation disasters, including a 1997 Korean Airlines crash in Guam that killed 228 people. Globally, it ranks alongside other deadly landing accidents, such as a 2010 Air India Express crash that killed 158 and a 2007 Airbus A320 disaster in Sao Paulo that claimed 199 lives.
The crash comes amid political upheaval in South Korea, with Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok temporarily leading the government after the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo. Choi has ordered an all-out rescue effort and is personally overseeing the response.
As South Korea mourns this tragedy, the nation faces a dual challenge: recovering from one of its deadliest aviation disasters and navigating a turbulent political climate.
