At least 85 dead as plane crashes at Muan International Airport in South Korea
Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, some 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul on December 29, 2024. (AFP Photo)
A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people veered off the runway and crashed into a fence at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, killing at least 85 people, according to local emergency services.
179 feared dead, 2 rescued in plane crash at Muan airport: South Korean authorities
Ninty-six people are confirmed dead after a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to Muan crashed on landing Sunday, the fire department said, with officials warning there was little chance many of the 181 people on board had survived.
“Passengers were ejected from the aircraft after it collided with the barrier, leaving little chance of survival,” a local fire department said in a statement.
“So far, two people rescued — both are flight attendants — 96 dead,” the fire department said in a statement. It had earlier said that one of the people rescued was a passenger.
South Korea Jeju Air plane crash death toll jumps to 120, fire department says.
Jeju Air flight 2216
Jeju Air Flight 2216, arriving from Bangkok, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when the crash occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time. Initial reports suggest a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the accident, though authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause.
“The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions,” Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of the Muan fire station, said during a briefing. “However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation.”
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, mobilizing 32 fire engines and dozens of firefighters to contain the blaze and rescue survivors. Video footage broadcast by local media showed the Boeing 737-8AS engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage.
Authorities have confirmed that two survivors, one crew member and one passenger, were pulled from the debris and are receiving medical attention. However, Lee Hyeon-ji, an officer with the local fire department, warned that the death toll could rise due to the number of critically injured individuals.
Passengers were being evacuated from the rear section of the aircraft when firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, according to rescue officials.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting with cabinet members and called for all available resources to be directed toward rescue efforts. “All related agencies must mobilize all available resources to save the personnel,” Choi said.
He later added, “The entire government is working closely together to manage the aftermath of the accident, dedicating all available resources while making every effort to ensure thorough support for the bereaved families.”
Jeju Air, a prominent low-cost carrier in South Korea, issued a statement apologizing for the accident. “We at Jeju Air will do everything in our power in response to this accident. We sincerely apologize for causing concern,” the airline said on its social media platforms.
The crash marks the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history, which dates back to its founding in 2005. In 2007, a Jeju Air plane carrying 74 passengers veered off the runway in Busan due to strong winds, causing minor injuries.
Muan International Airport, located in South Jeolla Province approximately 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul, serves as a regional hub for domestic and international flights.
