At Least 58 Confirmed Dead in South Korea Plane Crash

SEOUL – A catastrophic incident occurred on Sunday involving a Jeju Air aircraft that was transporting 181 passengers from Bangkok to South Korea. The plane crashed upon arrival, resulting in a confirmed death toll that has tragically reached 58, with the number likely to increase as rescue operations continue. Dramatic footage captured the aircraft engulfed in flames shortly after landing.

As the rescue operation unfolded, authorities revealed that two individuals—one crew member and one passenger—were successfully extracted from the wreckage, as confirmed by the national fire agency.

Local news footage depicted the Boeing 737-8AS, identified through Flight Radar, approaching Muan airport when smoke emerged from its engines, preceding the plane being completely overtaken by flames.

“Currently, we have confirmed 29 fatalities from the crash,” stated a local fire department officer.

“However, the death toll may rise due to several individuals being critically injured,” the officer added.

Rescue authorities were actively evacuating passengers from the rear section of the aircraft.

Muan International Airport is situated approximately 288 kilometers (179 miles) southwest of Seoul.

The fire agency reported the deployment of 32 fire engines alongside numerous firefighters to combat the blaze.

The incident transpired at 9:03 AM local time (1203 GMT) during the landing of Jeju Air Flight 2216 originating from Bangkok.

The Ministry of Land disclosed that there were a total of 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, accompanied by six crew members on board.

The initial flames have been extinguished, and search and rescue operations remain ongoing at the crash site, as communicated by officials around 11 AM local time.

– Enveloped in Flames –

Preliminary investigations suggest a possible failure of the landing gear, potentially triggered by a bird strike, which could have contributed to the crash. Authorities have initiated an on-site investigation to ascertain the precise cause.

Images from the scene revealed the plane’s tail engulfed in flames on what appeared to be the runway’s edge, surrounded by emergency responders and firefighting equipment.

The Acting President has directed a comprehensive mobilization of all resources to aid the passengers.

“All relevant agencies must use every available resource to rescue those on board,” the Acting President instructed officials in a public statement.

An emergency meeting is set to be convened with cabinet members to strategize rescue efforts and responses.

This incident marks a grim milestone as the first fatal accident in the operational history of Jeju Air, one of the largest low-cost carriers in South Korea, which began operations in 2005.

In an earlier incident in August 2007, a Bombardier Q400 operated by Jeju Air experienced a runway excursion due to strong winds in Busan, leading to multiple injuries.

Despite this tragic event, South Korea’s aviation industry is generally recognized for its strong safety record.

In a separate incident last year, a passenger opened an emergency exit during an Asiana Airlines flight landing, resulting in a safe landing but necessitating hospitalizations for several individuals.