Horrific Plane Crash in South Korea Leaves Only Two Survivors
A devastating plane crash in South Korea has claimed the lives of 179 passengers, with just two survivors pulled from the wreckage. The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 people, crash-landed at Muan International Airport after departing from Bangkok, Thailand.
Two crew members were found alive in the wreckage of the plane (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Details of the Crash
The incident occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time when the aircraft skidded down the runway, its landing gear apparently not deployed. Eyewitness footage showed the plane colliding with a wall before erupting into a massive fireball. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, but the scale of the tragedy was overwhelming.
Of the 181 passengers and crew on board, only two were found alive—both crew members. South Korea’s National Fire Agency has confirmed 174 fatalities, including 83 women, 80 men, and 11 victims whose identities remain unclear due to the fire.
What Went Wrong?
Preliminary investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by a bird strike. Communication logs reveal that air traffic controllers issued a warning to the pilots shortly before the crash, advising them to land at an alternative airport. Despite this, the plane attempted to land at Muan International Airport, sending out a distress signal just before the crash.
Flight data and cockpit recordings have been recovered and will be analyzed as part of the investigation into the tragedy.
The plane made an emergency landing at an airport in the South Korean town of Muan (Twitter)
Devastating Aftermath
The wreckage of the plane is almost unrecognizable, with only the tail section intact. Jeju Air has issued a statement expressing a “deep apology” for the disaster.
Kim E-bae, the airline’s chief, said:
“I feel full responsibility for this tragedy. Routine checks had not identified any mechanical issues with the aircraft, but we await the results of the government’s investigation.”
The plane skidded across the runway and hit a wall (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Boeing has also offered its support, stating:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Global Aviation Safety Concerns
This crash comes just days after another aviation tragedy. On Christmas Day, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
These back-to-back incidents raise concerns about aviation safety and the need for stricter regulations and preventive measures.
What’s Next?
Authorities in South Korea have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Experts will analyze the plane’s flight data recorder, cockpit voice recordings, and maintenance records.
Jeju Air has pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation and assist the families of the victims. The airline’s statement emphasized its commitment to ensuring safety measures are strengthened to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A Tragic Reminder
This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the critical importance of safety protocols. While air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, accidents like this highlight the devastating consequences when things go wrong.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
Featured Image Credit: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images
