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All but 2 of 181 passengers and crew presumed dead in Muan plane crash: Authorities

Published: 29 Dec. 2024, 10:21 Updated: 29 Dec. 2024, 17:45

LEE SOO-JUNG
[email protected]

Flames billow out from the Boeing 737-800 that crashed into a fence after veering off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla on Dec. 29. [YONHAP]

All but two out of 181 passengers and crew aboard a plane that crashed while landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning are presumed dead, according to emergency authorities.

The plane that crashed was Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, a Boeing 737-800 returning from Bangkok.

The aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into a perimeter fence at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla at around 9:07 a.m., according to local news reports.

The National Fire Agency said authorities had recovered122 dead bodies as of 2:30 p.m. The figure is almost five times the initial estimated death toll of 28.

Just two flight attendants, one male and one female, have been rescued alive thus far, according to the fire agency.

No additional survivors have since been found in the wreckage, whose condition is such that fire authorities told passengers' families at a press briefing there is little possibility of more being found alive.

The aircraft's fuselage was completely destroyed in the crash, complicating the identification of victims, according to authorities.

Rescue teams are still working to locate those who remain unaccounted for, while the bodies of those recovered so far are being housed in a temporary mortuary close to the crash site.

The aircraft departed from Bangkok at 1:30 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Muan at 8:30 a.m.

Prior to the crash, the aircraft attempted an unsuccessful first landing on runway No. 1, which led the pilot to perform a go-around before trying a second time.

However, the plane's landing gear malfunctioned on the second landing attempt, leading to an emergency belly landing near the end of the runway, according to authorities. A belly landing is an aircraft landing without the proper extension and operation of the landing gear.

Although it is unclear why the landing gear failed, local media reported that a bird strike may have been the cause.

In footage aired by local broadcaster MBC, the aircraft appeared to land on its underside on the runway and subsequently hit a fence after skidding off the tarmac. The collision caused the plane to burst immediately into flames.

A total of 175 passengers —173 Korean nationals and two Thai nationals — and six crew members were on board the plane.

In a statement posted on its website, Jeju Air said, “We will make every effort to resolve the situation. We sincerely regret the distress caused.”

Firefighting authorities dispatched around 80 firefighters to the crash site, where the fire was extinguished around 9:46 a.m. Helicopters were also sent to the scene to put out the blaze.

Rescue operations are ongoing.

Update, Dec. 29: Updated details about passengers' nationalities and an aircraft.
Update, Dec. 29: Updated details about the aircraft's landing.
Update, Dec. 29: Updated lede and death toll.
Update, Dec. 29: Updated death toll and accident information added.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]