A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people crash-landed at Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 passengers and most of its crew members.
The Boeing 737-800 was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, with 175 passengers and six crew members when it skidded off the runway, crashed into a perimeter wall, and exploded in flames.
Two survivors, both cabin crew, were pulled from the wreckage.
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Just two survivors, both cabin crew, were pulled from the wreckage.
The flight, delayed in its initial landing due to bird interference, made a second attempt after issuing a mayday call.
Video footage shows the plane landing without its landing gear, overshooting the runway.
Transport officials have cited potential factors including a bird strike and adverse weather.
However, aviation experts have questioned whether these were sufficient to cause such a catastrophic crash.
Aviation analyst Gregory Alegi highlighted critical concerns, including the plane’s speed and the absence of landing gear deployment.
“There are more questions than answers at this stage,” he said.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and offered condolences, pledging support for recovery efforts.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. We will do everything to help the injured recover,” he said.
At a press conference, Jeju Air executives bowed deeply in apology to the victims’ families and the nation.
“We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this terrible incident. We will cooperate fully with the investigation,” the airline said.
The crash is Jeju Air’s first fatal incident since it was founded in 2005 and the worst air disaster for a South Korean airline since a Korean Air flight crashed in Guam in 1997, killing more than 200 people.
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