On Sunday morning, a devastating plane crash took place at Muan International Airport in South Korea involving Jeju Air flight 7C 2216. According to a press briefing from the country’s Transport Ministry, the pilot reported a bird strike and issued a “mayday” call just moments before the aircraft went down. The flight had just taken off from Bangkok, Thailand, and was landing around 9 AM local time when it veered off the runway and collided with a wall, resulting in a massive fireball.
In response to the disaster, South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting and declared a national mourning period that will last until January 4. In his statement on social media platform X, he expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that the government would do everything possible to recover from this tragedy and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Jeju Air flight carried 175 passengers and six crew members, including two Thai nationals. Sadly, reports indicate that at least 179 people lost their lives in this incident, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea’s history. Eyewitness videos captured the Boeing 737-800 sliding down the runway without its landing gear before crashing into a wall and bursting into flames.
Rescue teams are currently focused on reaching individuals trapped in the wreckage. Early assessments suggest that fire nearly destroyed the aircraft after the impact. The South Korean government is thoroughly investigating the crash to determine its cause and assess the extent of casualties.
This incident has drawn attention not only for its tragic outcome but also for its implications for air travel safety in South Korea. The country has experienced significant advancements in aviation safety over recent decades, making this crash particularly shocking. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to analyze flight data and cockpit recordings to gain insights into what went wrong during this ill-fated landing.
