Tragic Plane Crash in South Korea claims 179 Lives; Only two survivors found

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, December 30th, 2024

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RKI Web desk
A devastating plane crash in South Korea on Sunday claimed the lives of 179 passengers and crew, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters involving a South Korean airline in nearly 30 years. The Boeing 737-800, operated by Jeju Air, was attempting to land at Muan International Airport when it went off the runway at around 9 a.m. local time. The aircraft overshot the runway, struck a barrier, and exploded into flames.
Of the 181 people on board, only two survived — both crew members who were rescued from the tail section of the wreckage. Investigators are examining possible causes, including a malfunction of the landing gear, potential bird strikes, and adverse weather conditions. The airport had warned the pilots about a possible bird strike before the crash.
The plane, which had flown from Bangkok, carried 175 passengers and six crew members. More than 1,500 personnel were deployed for search and rescue efforts, with DNA samples collected from relatives to help identify the victims. The black boxes from the plane were recovered and are being analyzed for clues.
This tragic event is the deadliest aviation incident globally since the 2018 Lion Air crash and is the worst involving a South Korean airline since 1997. Jeju Air, which had not previously experienced a fatal accident, expressed deep regret. South Korean authorities are receiving assistance from a U.S. team, including the NTSB and Boeing, to investigate the cause of the crash. The nation is observing a week of mourning.