A devastating plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport claimed the lives of at least 127 people when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, belly-landed and exploded into a fireball upon impact with a wall. The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, is one of the deadliest air accidents in South Korea in nearly 30 years.
The flight, carrying 181 people, attempted to land at the airport but encountered difficulties after declaring a “mayday” warning shortly before the crash. A bird strike is suspected to have caused the malfunction in the plane’s landing gear, leading to its tragic crash.
Video footage from the scene shows the Boeing 737-800 skidding down the runway, its landing gear absent, before slamming into a wall, bursting into flames. Emergency teams rescued two crew members from the tail section of the plane, but recovery operations are ongoing as authorities search for additional bodies near the crash site. The crash site itself was described as covered in smoke, fire, and the smell of aviation fuel.
This crash marks the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, a low-cost airline that has been operating since 2005. Investigators are currently examining the role of bird strikes and weather conditions, while Jeju Air officials and South Korean authorities express condolences to the families of the victims.
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In response to the crash, Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae bowed deeply in apology, confirming that the airline would fully cooperate with investigations and prioritize support for the families of the victims.
The disaster is poised to become South Korea’s deadliest aviation accident, surpassing previous incidents, including a 1997 Korean Air crash. The crash also highlights Muan International Airport’s rapid increase in international traffic, as passenger numbers surged by 20 times in the last year.
International responses include condolences from Thai officials, as two Thai nationals were aboard the flight. South Korean authorities have also vowed to commit all resources to the ongoing investigation.
