An excavator removes charred seats from the debris of an airplane that crashed after veering off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024. Reuters
A tragic airline disaster on Sunday claimed 179 lives at Muan International Airport in South Korea, marking the deadliest air accident in the nation’s history. A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok carrying 175 passengers and six crew members belly-landed, skidded off the runway, and crashed into a wall, erupting in flames. The catastrophic event left only two crew members alive, both with severe injuries.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was attempting to land shortly after 9 a.m. when the incident occurred. Local media footage showed the plane sliding without visible landing gear before colliding with navigation equipment and a wall, sparking an explosion. Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun described the wreckage as almost unrecognizable, with only the tail section retaining some shape.
Emergency responders rescued the two survivors from the tail of the burning plane. They are being treated for medium to severe injuries at local hospitals. Investigators are considering bird strikes and weather conditions as potential causes for the crash. Airport authorities reported a bird strike might have caused the landing gear to fail, leading to the tragedy.
Firefighters work to put out flames on a plane that veered off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on December 29, 2024. Reuters
This accident is the worst involving a South Korean airline since 1997, when over 200 people died in a crash in Guam. It also surpasses the 2002 Air China crash that killed 129 people on South Korean soil. Aviation expert Gregory Alegi noted, “There are more questions than answers at this point,” citing the plane’s speed and apparent failure to deploy flaps and landing gear as key issues.
Global aviation protocols dictate South Korea will lead the investigation, with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing participating. Boeing extended its condolences to the victims’ families and assured full cooperation with the investigation.
Rescue teams work to remove the wreckage of a plane that crashed after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024. Reuters
The crash has deeply impacted the local community and families of the victims. Many passengers were residents returning from vacations, and the loss has left relatives in anguish. A relative shared, “My brother died, and I don’t know what’s going on,” as family members wept at the airport.
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, apologized publicly, stating the aircraft had no prior accident history and no signs of malfunction before its departure. The airline pledged to support the victims’ families and assist the investigation.
Rescue teams carry out recovery efforts at the scene of a plane crash after it veered off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024. Reuters
The flight, which had just started servicing Muan three weeks ago, highlights the growing importance of this small but increasingly busy airport. Following the accident, all flights at Muan International were canceled.
South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and promised full governmental support for the investigation and victim assistance. Among the deceased were two Thai nationals, whose government has arranged for their families to travel to South Korea.
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze on a plane that veered off the runway at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on December 29, 2024. Reuters
This devastating incident has not only claimed lives but has also raised significant concerns about aviation safety and airport preparedness, leaving the nation grappling with its aftermath.
