In a devastating turn of events, Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed while attempting to land at South Korea's Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024. The tragic accident, involving a Boeing 737-800, has claimed the lives of at least 124 people, marking one of the nation’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades.
The flight, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 181 individuals, including 175 passengers and six crew members. Upon its approach to Muan, the aircraft encountered severe difficulties, reportedly due to a combination of adverse weather and a suspected bird strike. These challenges are believed to have caused a critical malfunction in the landing gear.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage reveal the horrifying sequence of events. The plane attempted a belly landing, skidding down the runway before veering off course and colliding with a concrete barrier. The impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames, resulting in catastrophic damage. Rescue teams have reported only two survivors, both flight attendants, who are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
As emergency services work tirelessly at the crash site, authorities have declared Muan a special disaster zone. The rescue operations face significant challenges due to the extent of the fire damage. Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the site, offering condolences to the victims' families and pledging thorough support for the investigation.
Jeju Air, which has enjoyed an impeccable safety record over its 19-year history, expressed profound grief over the incident. The airline, along with Boeing, has vowed full cooperation with investigators to determine the precise causes of the crash.
The tragedy has shaken South Korea, drawing comparisons to the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam, which also claimed a significant number of lives. Aviation experts suggest that the suspected bird strike combined with deteriorating weather conditions could have created an insurmountable challenge for the pilots.
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