Plane crash in South Korea: Jeju Air passenger plane exploded, according to preliminary data, 179 people died
On December 29, a tragic plane crash involving a Jeju Air passenger plane occurred in South Korea. The incident occurred during landing at the international airport of the city of Muan, located in the southwest of the country. As reported by the agency Yonhap, a plane carrying 181 people, including six crew members, exploded after taking off from the runway at Mueang International Airport in South Korea.
The accident happened at 9:07 a.m. local time, the plane was on an international flight from Bangkok to Muang. The airport is located in South Jeolla Province, approximately 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul. There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board. During the accident, the plane, moving at high speed, could not stop within the lane and crashed into a fence, after which a powerful explosion was heard. All but two people on board are believed to have died. Earlier, authorities confirmed 62 dead and warned that the death toll could rise.
Eyewitnesses recorded the moment of the collision on video. The footage shows how the plane in an uncontrolled state crashes into the barrier and is engulfed in flames. An initial investigation showed the plane attempted to land without the landing gear deployed, skidding along the ground before crashing into a concrete wall and exploding. Dramatic footage shown by local broadcasters showed the devastating impact, with the plane engulfed in flames and almost completely destroyed in the explosion. Most of the passengers on board were South Korean citizens, including two Thai citizens. So far, it was possible to save only one passenger and one crew member.
Now the scene of the accident is under the control of rescuers who are conducting search and rescue operations. It is known that 179 people who were on board are considered missing. Rescuers are trying to find those who could have survived the explosion. Work is also ongoing to extinguish the fire caused by the explosion and analyze the wreckage of the plane.
Despite the efforts of rescuers, the situation remains difficult. The causes of the disaster have not yet been established. Experts suggest that the accident could have been caused by technical problems of the plane or an error during the landing approach. However, official conclusions can be drawn only after the investigation.
South Korean authorities have already announced that they will conduct a detailed investigation into the incident. The country’s Ministry of Transport promised to establish the causes of the tragedy as soon as possible and to take measures to avoid similar situations in the future. Officials suspect that the collision with the bird may have caused the undercarriage to fail, leading to the crash. An on-site investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok ordered officials to prioritize rescue operations and provide all possible support to the victims. Choi heads to the crash site to oversee the response.
This disaster became a serious test for the Korean aviation system. Jeju Air, one of the country’s largest airlines, has already announced its cooperation with law enforcement and its readiness to provide all necessary information for the investigation.
