In a devastating incident at Muan International Airport in South Korea, the death toll from a passenger plane crash has escalated to at least 117, marking one of the worst aviation disasters in the nation's history. The Jeju Air flight, originating from Bangkok, Thailand, met with tragedy shortly after attempting to land on December 28, 2024, at around 9:03 AM local time. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when it veered off the runway, crashing into a barrier and subsequently catching fire. The initial reports suggested a catastrophic failure of the landing gear, leading to the plane sliding uncontrollably before the fiery impact. Emergency services, including 80 firefighters and over 30 fire trucks, were swiftly mobilized to the scene to battle the blaze and conduct rescue operations.
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The National Fire Agency of South Korea confirmed the rising death toll, with the number climbing from an earlier count of 62 to 117. This grim update has cast a shadow over the holiday season, with the country already navigating through a period of political turmoil following the impeachment of the acting president and the imposition of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing, with early indications pointing towards a possible bird strike leading to the landing gear malfunction. The Transport Ministry has detailed that the aircraft's landing gear appeared to have failed to deploy, resulting in a belly landing which caused the plane to skid off the runway at high speed. Videos from local television and reports from witnesses depict the aircraft sliding on its belly, sparking and smoking before colliding with the airport's perimeter.
Rescue efforts have been complicated by the severity of the crash, with bodies scattered around the crash site. The fuselage was nearly obliterated by the fire, making it challenging to account for all passengers. Two individuals, identified as crew members, were the only survivors pulled from the wreckage, both suffering from moderate to severe injuries but remaining conscious during rescue. Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who took over after the political upheaval, has ordered all available resources to be utilized for rescue operations. He has expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and has vowed a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. An emergency meeting was convened by the presidential office to manage the response and coordinate efforts.
Jeju Air, expressing profound sorrow, has committed to cooperating with the government investigation. CEO Kim E-bae publicly took "full responsibility" for the incident during a press conference, apologizing for the unimaginable loss of life. The airline has promised support for the bereaved families and is focusing on the recovery of victims. This disaster has prompted a national reflection on aviation safety, particularly concerning the maintenance and operation of commercial aircraft. The global aviation community, along with South Korea, will closely watch the outcomes of this investigation, hoping to derive lessons that prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, the nation mourns, with thoughts turning towards the families of the 117 lives lost in this horrific accident.