Jeju Air Flight from Bangkok Crashes at Muan Airport
A devastating crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea claimed the lives of dozens on Sunday morning. A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, veered off the runway during landing, colliding with a barrier before bursting into flames.
Early reports confirm at least 62 fatalities, with the number expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Emergency teams managed to pull two survivors from the wreckage, both of whom are being treated for severe injuries.
Authorities believe a malfunction in the landing gear caused the aircraft to attempt a belly landing, resulting in the runway overrun. Investigators are examining other possible contributing factors, including technical issues and environmental conditions.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared the region a disaster zone, mobilizing emergency personnel to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In an official statement, he offered his condolences, saying, “I believe no words of consolation will be enough for the families who have suffered such a tragedy.”
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, has apologized to the victims’ families, vowing full cooperation with the investigation. He noted that the aircraft had no prior incidents and had cleared all necessary maintenance checks before the flight.
This tragedy marks the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea in over two decades and has triggered a nationwide period of mourning. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash
