A devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea has resulted in at least 179 fatalities, according to the country’s fire service.
The aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, was carrying 181 individuals, including 175 passengers and six crew members, returning from Bangkok, Thailand. So far only two crew members have been rescued raising fears that all the other passengers could be presumed dead.
The incident occurred as the plane came off the runway and collided with a wall during landing. So far, two individuals have been rescued, including one flight attendant and one passenger, while rescue operations continue to locate others trapped in the tail section of the aircraft.
Among the passengers were 173 South Koreans and two Thais, as reported by Yonhap news agency. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest it may have been related to birds getting caught in the plane’s systems.
Eyewitness accounts and unverified footage on social media captured the moment the aircraft skidded off the runway, crashing into a wall before erupting into flames. A significant plume of black smoke was seen rising into the sky following the crash.
Emergency services have deployed around 80 firefighters and over 30 fire trucks to the scene, responding swiftly to the emergency. Muan is located approximately 178 miles (288 km) south of the capital, Seoul.
This tragic incident marks the first fatal accident in the history of Jeju Air, one of South Korea’s largest low-cost airlines, which has been operational since 2005. South Korea’s aviation industry has long been regarded for its safety standards, making this crash particularly shocking. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities work to manage the aftermath of this tragic event.
