29-12-2024 (SEOUL) Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has launched an immediate emergency response following a catastrophic aircraft incident at Muan International Airport that has left multiple casualties.
The Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 181 passengers and crew, met with disaster during its landing attempt at approximately 9:07 this morning. The aircraft, arriving from Bangkok, reportedly collided with an outer wall after what preliminary investigations suggest was a landing gear malfunction.
Among those aboard were 173 South Korean nationals, two Thai citizens, and six crew members. Emergency services have thus far confirmed 28 casualties, with rescue operations ongoing. Two individuals – one passenger and one crew member – have been successfully evacuated from the wreckage.
BREAKING: Video shows crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in South Korea. 181 people on board pic.twitter.com/9rQUC0Yxt8
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 29, 2024
Acting President Choi arrived at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in Seoul at 9:50 am to coordinate the emergency response. “All available resources must be deployed immediately,” Choi directed, emphasising the paramount importance of protecting rescue personnel during the operation.
Following his initial briefing in Seoul, Choi proceeded directly to Muan International Airport, situated 300 kilometres southwest of the capital, to personally oversee the rescue efforts. Fire authorities have reported success in containing the initial blaze, with search operations now concentrated on the aircraft’s tail section.
The National Fire Agency has mobilised substantial resources to the scene, while police authorities have launched an investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident. Early reports suggest the aircraft’s landing gear may have failed to deploy properly, though officials stress it is too early to draw definitive conclusions.
