PUBLISHED : 30 Dec 2024 at 14:45
MUAN, South Korea – In the wake of a tragic aviation disaster, South Korea has mandated a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft within its commercial fleet. This decisive action follows the catastrophic crash of a Jeju Air plane that claimed the lives of 179 individuals on board.
US air safety officials have joined forces with investigators as they delve into the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident, initially attributed to a collision with birds. The ill-fated Boeing 737-800 was transporting 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to South Korea when it issued a mayday call, ultimately crash-landing before careening into a barrier and erupting into flames.
Rescue efforts managed to save only two flight attendants, with all other occupants of Jeju Air Flight 2216 tragically perishing. In solidarity, South Korea has entered a week of mourning, with national flags at half-mast and the acting president visiting the crash site for a memorial service.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, recently appointed, assured the public of vigorous efforts to identify victims and provide support to grieving families. He announced a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and emphasized the necessity of an urgent safety inspection of the country’s aircraft operation systems to avert similar tragedies in the future.
Renowned for its strong air safety record, South Korea has recovered both black boxes from Flight 2216—the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder. Authorities have identified 146 victims so far through DNA analysis and fingerprint identification.
Families of the victims waited anxiously at the airport, resorting to makeshift tents in the airport lounge as they sought updates on their loved ones. One elderly man, who lost his son in the crash, expressed his pain over the delay in identification.
Memorial
At the crash site, emotional scenes unfolded as mourners gazed at the remnants of the aircraft scattered across the field. The harrowing atmosphere lingered, with soldiers meticulously searching the area for any remaining body parts.
The victims ranged in age from three to 78, predominantly Korean with a couple of Thai nationals among them. Jeju Air extended their heartfelt apologies, with top officials expressing their remorse during a press conference.
Another flight of the same model had to return to Seoul shortly after takeoff due to landing gear complications, raising further concerns about safety procedures.
Criticism
As the investigation continues, experts have raised questions about airport construction and its potential impact on the crash. Kim Kwang-il, a noted aeronautics professor, criticized the presence of solid structures at the end of the runway, suggesting that such obstacles contravene international aviation safety standards and may have contributed to the disaster.
He contended that without these obstructions, the aircraft might have skidded safely to a stop rather than colliding with the barrier.
