An airplane carrying 181 passengers and crew crashed on Sunday morning while attempting landing at an airport in southwestern South Korea, leaving more than 120 passengers dead, reported CNN.
Landing Failure
Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 from Bangkok was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members when it attempted belly landing at Muan Airport, due to an apparent landing gear malfunction. Then, the Boeing 737-800 skidded along the runway and hit the airport concrete fence, broke into two pieces and burst into flames.
The local fire department said that at least 122 people are confirmed dead so far. Only two crew members were pulled alive from the crash site, while all the remaining passengers and crew members are presumed dead.
The victims include 54 males, 57 females, and 11 people whose gender could not be determined, according to authorities. The passengers aboard the flight included 173 Korean nationals and two Thai nationals.
Boeing Comment
After the tragic accident, Boeing offered its condolences to the victims of the plane crash in South Korea, saying it was in contact with the carrier Jeju Air. The company issued a brief statement on X, saying: “We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding Flight 2216 and stand ready to support them.”
— The Boeing Company (@Boeing) December 29, 2024
The company added: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Investigation Underway
The South Korean Transport Ministry said that rescuers will search for the black box flight data recorders, after the recovery of the victims’ bodies. It added that over 700 personnel from the police, military and coast guard are taking part in on-site response efforts.
In response to the crash, South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared the crash site “a special disaster zone,” vowing a full investigation to determine the causes behind the accident.
“We will concentrate all resources on recovery and support for the victims. All necessary resources are being mobilized, and a special disaster zone has been declared,” he said in a statement.
Choi travelled to the crash site and extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the victims’ families, pledging to make every effort to manage the accident’s aftermath and prevent similar accidents in the future.
