Large passenger plane crashes in South Korea (VIDEO)
A passenger jet with 181 people has crashed while landing in South Korea, killing nearly all on board Read Full Article at RT.com
Nearly all of the 181 people on board, except for two passengers, have reportedly died.
A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 people veered off the runway during an attempted 'belly' landing and exploded at the Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday.
There are two survivors, and all other passengers and crew are presumed dead, Yonhap news agency reported, citing firefighters. Search and rescue teams have recovered all 177 bodies, the news agency reported.
The disaster occurred shortly after 9 am local time, when Jeju Air Flight 2216 was landing following a flight from Bangkok.
A video posted on social media shows the large aircraft skidding off the runway and bursting into flames.
According to local media, the authorities believe that the airliner was hit by a flock of birds, which caused its landing gear to malfunction.
The Korea Herald cited officials as saying that the plane crashed during its second attempt to land. After circling the airport, it attempted an emergency belly landing, without the landing gear fully extended.
BREAKING: New video shows moment Boeing 737-800 plane carrying 181 people onboard crashes at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
pic.twitter.com/konxWBpnWy— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) December 29, 2024
The aircraft then broke into pieces, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site. Firefighters are working to extinguish the flames and looking for survivors in the tail section. One passenger and one crew member have been rescued so far, according to Yonhap.
“We extend our deepest condolences and apologies to the passengers who lost their lives in the accident and to their bereaved families,” Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae said in a statement.
”Currently, the exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined, and we must wait for the official investigation by government agencies,” Kim said. “Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO.”
The plane had 175 passengers and six crew members. Of the passengers, 173 are South Korean nationals, and two others held Thai passports.
