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MUAN, South Korea (CHATNEWSTV) — A Jeju Air passenger plane skidded off the runway and burst into flames while landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, killing 167 people in one of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters.
The Boeing 737-800 jet, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, carried 175 passengers and six crew members. The accident occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time (00:03 GMT) after an apparent malfunction in the aircraft’s landing gear caused it to make a belly landing, according to initial reports.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene as the plane skidded across the runway before erupting into a massive fireball. A series of explosions followed, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
The National Fire Agency confirmed that 167 people died in the blaze, including 79 women, 77 men, and 11 individuals whose genders could not immediately be identified. Only two survivors—a crew member and a passenger—were rescued.
“We are doing everything we can to search for survivors, but the extent of the damage makes it unlikely that we will find more,” said a spokesperson for the fire agency.
Final Moments and Possible Cause
Among the victims was a passenger who reportedly sent a final text message to a family member moments before the crash, saying, “Should I say my last words?”
Investigators are probing the cause of the crash, with one theory suggesting a bird strike may have damaged the landing gear. The South Korean Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board has begun analyzing the plane’s black boxes, which were recovered from the wreckage.
A Nation in Mourning
Acting President Choi Sang-mok pledged full government support for rescue and recovery efforts. “This is a tragedy that has shaken our nation to its core. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families,” he said.
Jeju Air, one of South Korea’s leading low-cost carriers, expressed “profound regret” over the incident and promised full cooperation with authorities. “This is the first fatal accident in our airline’s history, and we are devastated,” the airline said in a statement.
The victims were primarily South Korean nationals, with two believed to be Thai citizens. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended condolences and pledged to assist families of any Thai victims.
A Grim Milestone
The crash marks a somber milestone in South Korea’s aviation history. Muan International Airport has been temporarily closed, and flights have been diverted to nearby facilities as investigators piece together the events that led to the catastrophe.
“Our priority remains supporting the families and ensuring this never happens again,” said a senior transport official.
