179 Dead in South Korea’s Worst Plane Crash: Nation Mourns a Tragic Loss
A devastating plane crash has claimed the lives of 179 people, marking South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster. The tragic incident occurred Sunday when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash-landed at Muan International Airport, erupting into flames and leaving just two survivors from the 181 on board.
The survivors, both cabin crew members, were pulled from the wreckage and remain in critical condition. Among the passengers were 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals, ranging in age from 3 to 78, many of them holidaymakers returning from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand.
A Family’s Grief
At Muan Airport’s arrival hall, heartbroken families waited for updates, many reduced to tears as they faced the grim process of identifying their loved ones.
Maeng Gi-su, a 78-year-old grieving relative, described his anguish. His nephew and great-nephews—on their first overseas trip to celebrate the youngest son finishing his college entrance exams—were among the victims.
“I can’t fathom that their lives were taken in an instant. My heart feels like it’s been torn apart,” Maeng shared.
The Final Moments
The crash occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time when Flight 2216 attempted to land at Muan Airport. Footage captured the aircraft’s wheels failing to deploy, forcing a belly landing. The plane skidded off the runway, collided with the perimeter wall, and exploded in a fiery blaze.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause. Officials reported no mechanical issues at takeoff, but the pilot, who had over 6,800 hours of flight experience, aborted an initial landing attempt due to bird interference. Shortly after, a distress call was issued before the emergency landing attempt ended in disaster.
Local media speculated that birds may have damaged the plane’s landing gear. A passenger had messaged a relative that a bird was stuck in the wing moments before the crash.
National Shock and Response
The crash has plunged South Korea into mourning, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok visiting the crash site to offer condolences. “This is an unimaginable tragedy,” he said. “We will spare no effort to support the injured and their families.”
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, has had a strong safety record since its founding in 2005. This is the airline’s first fatal accident. In a public apology, company executives bowed deeply and vowed to assist affected families.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737-800, has pledged its cooperation with the investigation.
A History of Safety Marred
South Korea’s aviation industry, long regarded as a model of safety, is grappling with the shock of this catastrophe. The Jeju Air crash is the worst aviation accident in the nation since the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam, which claimed over 200 lives.
As the nation comes to terms with this tragedy, questions linger about the chain of events that led to the crash and whether more could have been done to prevent it. For now, South Korea grieves for the lives lost and prays for healing in the wake of a national tragedy.
