At least 62 individuals lost their lives when a Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, veered off the runway and burst into flames upon hitting a wall at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday, according to the national fire agency.
The incident happened just after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) as the aircraft, arriving from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members, was attempting to land.
The agency confirmed that two survivors were extracted from the wreckage. As rescue operations continued, authorities focused on the aircraft’s tail section, where additional passengers were believed to be trapped. Early reports from Yonhap news agency indicated that three individuals had been rescued, but these numbers were still being confirmed.
Horrifying footage emerging of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 (not a Max) with 175 onboard involved in a crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea — video shows the aircraft attempting a ‘belly landing’ (without its landing gear extended) before impacting the perimeter wall pic.twitter.com/C3JCUz8Iw8
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) December 29, 2024The transport ministry has yet to officially confirm the number of casualties, although fire officials say at least 58 bodies have been recovered so far. Meanwhile, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Preliminary reports from Yonhap suggested that a bird strike may have compromised the landing gear, contributing to the accident. This theory was supported by a distressing message from a passenger, reported by News1, indicating that a bird had become lodged in the wing.
BREAKING: New video shows moment Boeing 737-800 plane carrying 181 people onboard crashes at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
pic.twitter.com/konxWBpnWy
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) December 29, 2024The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the definitive cause of the disaster. Meanwhile, the South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok, responding to the crisis, has mobilized extensive rescue efforts. This response comes shortly after his appointment following the impeachment of the previous acting president.
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In the wake of the crash, all flights at Muan airport have been cancelled, and the aviation community, including Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, has been urgently requested to comment on the incident.
