Tragic plane crash in South Korea claims dozens of lives

A devastating plane crash occurred at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, resulting in a significant loss of life. Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members, crashed upon landing at approximately 9:03 a.m. local time.

As of the latest reports, the death toll stands at 96.  

The aircraft, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, veered off the runway during its landing attempt. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane skid across the airstrip before colliding with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the facility. The impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames, engulfing it in thick black smoke.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency crews focusing on evacuating individuals trapped in the tail section of the aircraft. Two survivors – one passenger and one crew member – have been rescued from the wreckage, but they have sustained mid to severe level injuries.  

Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan Fire Station, stated that the likely cause of the accident was a combination of a bird strike and adverse weather conditions. Initial reports suggest that a malfunction in the landing gear may have contributed to the crash. The transport ministry reported that the plane's landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned, possibly due to a collision with birds.  

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has arrived at the crash site and ordered officials to deploy all available resources to assist with rescue operations. The entire government is mobilizing to handle the situation, with comprehensive efforts being made to support the ongoing rescue and investigation processes.  

Among the passengers were two Thai nationals whose fate remains unknown at this time. The Thai Embassy in Seoul is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed. This tragic incident marks the first fatal accident in the history of Jeju Air since its establishment in 2005.

(Callan Williamson)

Updated: 13h52