South Korea Plane Crash
Tragedy struck Muan International Airport on Sunday morning as a Jeju Air Boeing 737-8AS en route from Bangkok crashed carrying 181 people. Fire engulfed the plane upon its landing, leaving all but two of the passengers feared dead. Authorities are bracing themselves for the death toll to rise as several survivors were in critical condition.
Details of the Crash
The incident occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time in Muan, about 288 km southwest of Seoul. The dramatic footage aired on MBC showed the plane touching down with smoke emanating from its engines before being completely engulfed in fire. The emergency services responded with urgency as 32 fire engines and hundreds of firefighters were deployed to douse the blaze and conduct rescue operations.
Two people have been rescued from the debris, while the rest are not known yet. The Ministry of Land said the flight carried 175 passengers, including two Thai citizens, and six crew members. The tail of the plane was completely ablaze, indicating the intensity of the fire.
Investigation Underway
Preliminary reports are that the cause could have been a bird strike or the failure of its landing gear. While these factors were mentioned by local fire authorities and the Yonhap News Agency, no definite conclusion has yet been arrived at. Investigators are now carefully examining the wreckage for the precise cause of the crash.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the ill-fated plane, sent their word of condolence as, "We are in contact with Jeju Air and stand ready to support them."
Jeju Air's First Fatal Accident
The incident has been Jeju Air's first fatal accident since it was founded in 2005. It previously recorded a non-fatal incident in 2007 after a Bombardier Q400 skidded off a runway at Busan-Gimhae airport during strong winds.
The South Korean aviation industry has generally maintained a strong safety record, though this incident has raised serious concerns. In 2023, a notable safety breach involved a passenger opening an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines flight during landing, though the plane landed safely with only minor injuries reported.
Government's Response
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has called on all agencies to mobilize resources to help rescue workers. He held an emergency meeting with cabinet members and asked them to do their best to save as many lives as possible. "All related agencies must mobilize all available resources to save the personnel," he said.
Firefighters and other rescue workers have been working around the clock to find survivors and douse the remaining hotspots at the crash site.
Scrutiny on Aviation History of South Korea
By causing the deaths of over two hundred people, it automatically put the aviation industry in South Korea under a spot light. Despite this reputation of safety, several are questioning whether tighter controls that could have averted this disaster should be effected; for instance, the avoidance of bird strikes, problems with the landing gear, and bad weather conditions.
Looking Ahead
Meanwhile, as the investigation unfolds, the aviation community rallies around the victims and their families. The accident serves as a grim reminder of the perils associated with air travel and that safety is of the utmost importance. This accident will require Jeju Air's commitment to understanding and addressing its causes if confidence in its operations is ever to be restored.
Also Read:
Video shows the moment a Jeju Air plane skidded off the runway and went up in flames.
Jeju Air Crash: Investigators Reveal What Caused the Disaster at Muan Airport
The investigation of this tragic accident by authorities is ongoing; more soon.