A plane carrying 181 individuals tragically crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, marking the deadliest aviation accident in nearly three decades for the nation.
Tragic Aviation Disaster: South Korea's Worst Plane Crash in 30 Years
Tragic Aviation Disaster: South Korea's Worst Plane Crash in 30 Years
A Boeing 737-800 crash-lands in Muan, leaving 177 confirmed dead and investigations underway.
On December 29, 2024, Flight 7C2216, operated by Jeju Air, was coming in from Bangkok when it crash-landed around 9 a.m. local time. Eyewitness accounts describe a horrific scene as the aircraft struck a barrier and erupted in flames, scattering debris across the runway.
Initial reports indicate that the Boeing 737-800 was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. By Sunday evening, officials from the National Fire Agency confirmed that 177 individuals had perished in the crash, while two crew members were successfully rescued from the tail section of the destroyed aircraft.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, focusing on potential landing gear failure, a reported bird strike, and adverse weather conditions. Ju Jong-wan, director of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated at a news briefing that the plane had been warned about a possible bird strike shortly before the incident and sent out a mayday alert just prior to landing. Emergency responders continue to sift through the wreckage, searching for further survivors or victims as they piece together the catastrophic event.
Initial reports indicate that the Boeing 737-800 was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. By Sunday evening, officials from the National Fire Agency confirmed that 177 individuals had perished in the crash, while two crew members were successfully rescued from the tail section of the destroyed aircraft.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, focusing on potential landing gear failure, a reported bird strike, and adverse weather conditions. Ju Jong-wan, director of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated at a news briefing that the plane had been warned about a possible bird strike shortly before the incident and sent out a mayday alert just prior to landing. Emergency responders continue to sift through the wreckage, searching for further survivors or victims as they piece together the catastrophic event.
