At least 62 people lost their lives when a jet belonging to Jeju Airlines veered off runway at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday. The flight was on its way back from Thailand’s Bangkok.
Preliminary investigations, as reported by Reuters, indicate that the jet burst into flames upon colliding with a wall near the runway. Footage aired by local television channels suggests a possible landing gear malfunction, with the plane hitting the ground while the landing gear remained retracted.
The Rescue operations are underway with authorities trying to evacuate passengers from Boeing 737-800’s rear section.
– Death toll from plane crash in South Korea rises to 47, more than 130 people still missing.
The incident occurred when a Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew from Bangkok.
— The Matrix (@thematrixloop)
The aircraft was attempting to land at Musan International Airport in Muan County, 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The National Fire Agency said the fire was almost put out but officials were still trying to pull people from the Jeju Air passenger plane. A total of 32 fire trucks have been deployed at the scene.
Among the dead are 37 women and 25 men.
The crash took place shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) as Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was landing in southern South Korea. The incident was confirmed by the country’s transport ministry.
PLANE CRASH: Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashes in South Korea with 181 souls on board. Only 2 survivors reported so far. — Starship Alves (@StarshipAlves)
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences to the families of the victims in a post on social media platform X. She stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been instructed to provide immediate assistance.
The crash is among South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters. The last major incident occurred in 1997, when a Korean Air flight crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.
The tragedy comes amid a political crisis in South Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment have sparked turmoil. On Friday, lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, suspending his duties and placing Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok in charge.
Choi directed officials to deploy all resources for rescue efforts before traveling to Muan. Meanwhile, Yoon’s office confirmed that Chief Secretary Chung Jin-suk will chair an emergency meeting with senior staff later on Sunday to address the crash.
(With Reuters, AP inputs)
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