A disasterly plane crash occurred on 29 December 2024, at Muan International Airport in South Korea, involving a Boeing 737-800 of Jeju Air. The airplane had been flying from Bangkok, Thailand, to South Korea when it crashed moments after trying to land on the runway, killing at least 127 people. This incident is being considered as one of the deadliest crashes in the region in years.
Crash Incident and Eyewitness Accounts
The accident occurred at approximately 9:03 AM local time when the aircraft attempted to land at Muan Airport. Witnesses say that the plane veered off the runway, crashed into a fence, and exploded in a fireball, with huge plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Eyewitnesses said they heard several explosions, and some said they saw flames in the aircraft’s engine before the crash. One witness, who was walking about 4.5 kilometers from the airport, said that he saw the plane descending and then a flash of light and a loud bang, which indicated the explosion.
Some of the witnesses even said they heard “metal scraping” and observed the plane as it attempted to land with the landing gear not fully extended, thus ending in what looked like a “belly landing.” The fire resulting from the crash burned fiercely for over two hours before being put out completely.
The Instant Reaction and Victims
There were 181 people in the aircraft, which comprised 175 passengers and six crew members. More than 127 passengers were confirmed dead. Two members of the crew have been rescued; however, it is still not known whether they are safe. The youngest passenger was three years old, and the oldest was a 78-year-old man. There were also two victims who were Thai nationals. Authorities continue to search for bodies and parts of the plane in surrounding areas as the force of the impact could have hurled some victims from the plane.
Families of the passengers have gathered at Muan International Airport in a frantic search for their loved ones. Some families reported receiving disturbing final messages from passengers before the crash, including a text about a bird strike on the plane’s wing and a final, chilling query asking, “Should I say my last words?”
Investigation Into Possible Causes
South Korean authorities have launched investigations into the cause of this crash. Some of the plausible theories are that it might have been a bird strike, potentially affecting the aircraft’s engine and control systems. Other possible causes relate to landing gear problems of the plane or adverse conditions in the weather that have led to the crash.
Jeju Air, the company operating the flight, apologized to the public and pledged cooperation with the investigation. According to the airline’s CEO, Kim E-Bae, there was no previous accident history with the plane and no indication of malfunction before the accident. Although the cause remains unknown, Jeju Air has promised to focus on assisting the families of the victims in this tragic time.
Local and International Reactions
South Korea said the area surrounding the international Muan Airport is an additional special disaster zone with an act president, Choi Sangmok, who has provided expression of condolences to victims. Tellingly, even at this point, Prime minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra has expressed sympathy, although still confirming that two national officials were on board that tragedy. The Thai authorities would assist in the process for identification and keep informed.
Search and Recovery Operations
Emergency response teams, including more than 1,500 firefighters and other personnel, have been laboring to recover the bodies of the victims and remove debris. The search and recovery continue, as authorities are continuing to sort through the blackened remains of the aircraft. Passengers’ luggage and clothing were strewn across the crash site, some drenched in blood from the devastating impact.
Airline’s Response and Future Action
Jeju Air made an official public statement of sorrow over the tragic incident. In the statement, it further announced that it would continue giving full support to the victims’ families. The chief executive officer of the airline mentioned that all domestic and international flights at Muan International Airport had been canceled due to the emergency response.
The aviation industry will most likely take new measures of safety to ensure that such disasters do not occur in the future. This crash is a sobering reminder of how unpredictable air travel can be and how much more stringent the safety protocols should be.
This tragic incident is still under investigation, and further details are expected as authorities work to determine the exact causes of the crash.