29-12-2024 (SEOUL) A devastating aviation catastrophe unfolded this morning at Muan International Airport when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed during landing, resulting in one of South Korea’s deadliest air disasters in recent history, with 179 fatalities.
The ill-fated aircraft, operating a routine service from Bangkok, met with disaster at 9:07 am local time when it encountered what preliminary reports suggest was a significant bird strike during its final approach. The incident reportedly prevented the crucial deployment of landing gear, leading to a catastrophic sequence of events.
First responders at the scene described a harrowing situation as the aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, made contact with the runway without its landing gear extended. The aircraft skidded at high velocity before veering dramatically off the tarmac and colliding with the airport’s safety barriers, triggering a massive explosion.
“The impact was followed by an immediate fireball,” said Kim Jong-woo, an airport ground staff member who witnessed the incident. “The smoke was so thick it nearly blocked out the morning sun.”
In a remarkable turn of events, emergency services managed to rescue two survivors – one passenger and one crew member – from the aircraft’s rear section. Both survivors have been rushed to nearby medical facilities, where they are reported to be in critical condition.
Jeju Air’s chief executive has issued an immediate response, transforming the carrier’s website into a crisis information centre. “We are profoundly shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” the statement reads. A dedicated emergency response team has been established, with special telephone lines activated for affected families.
Aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash, with particular focus on the reported bird strike and the aircraft’s landing gear system. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has dispatched investigators to the site, whilst international aviation experts are expected to join the inquiry.
