South Korea Faces Worst Aviation Disaster in Decades: Jeju Air Plane Crash Leaves 85 Dead
In a tragic turn of events, South Korea witnessed its worst domestic aviation disaster in decades as a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people skidded off the runway and burst into flames at Muan Airport. The incident occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time on December 29, 2024, when the plane’s front landing gear reportedly failed to deploy.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which had been returning from Bangkok, veered off the airstrip, colliding with a concrete fence on the airport’s outskirts. Emergency services have confirmed 85 fatalities so far, with only two survivors — one passenger and one crew member — pulled from the wreckage. The survivors are currently receiving medical attention, while authorities race against time to recover more victims.
A Scene of Devastation at Muan Airport
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as the plane erupted in flames upon impact. Television footage showed the aircraft skidding uncontrollably across the runway before its catastrophic collision with the wall. The National Fire Agency deployed 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to extinguish the blaze and rescue passengers.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to control the fire and search for survivors, but the intensity of the flames and the structural damage to the aircraft have made the operation exceptionally challenging.
BREAKING: New video shows moment Boeing 737-800 plane carrying 181 people onboard crashes at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) December 29, 2024
pic.twitter.com/konxWBpnWy
Investigating the Cause
Initial reports indicate that the plane’s landing gear malfunctioned during its approach to the runway. The Transport Ministry confirmed that investigators are examining the mechanical failure as a potential cause of the accident. The ministry also revealed that the passengers included two Thai nationals, adding an international dimension to the tragedy.
This disaster has sent shockwaves through South Korea, a nation with an otherwise strong aviation safety record. The crash brings back painful memories of the 1997 Korean Air tragedy in Guam, which claimed 228 lives.
Flights Disrupted, Nation in Mourning
Muan Airport has suspended all flights indefinitely as authorities conduct rescue operations and assess damage to the facility. The crash has not only disrupted travel plans for thousands but also plunged the country into mourning as families await updates on their loved ones.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has expressed his condolences and vowed a thorough investigation into the incident. “The safety of our citizens is our utmost priority,” he stated in a press briefing.
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
As South Korea grapples with the enormity of this tragedy, questions are being raised about aviation safety protocols and equipment maintenance. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of rigorous safety checks and preparedness in preventing such disasters.
For now, the focus remains on recovery efforts and supporting the victims’ families. The nation mourns the lives lost in what will be remembered as one of the darkest days in its aviation history.
