Jeju Air Plane Crash in South Korea: Dozens Killed, Two Survivors in Hospital, DKnews.kz reports.
A Jeju Air aircraft flying from Bangkok (Thailand) to Muan (South Korea) crashed upon landing at its destination airport. There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board. According to the latest information, 96 fatalities have been officially confirmed, while two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—have been taken to the hospital. Their current condition remains undisclosed.
Circumstances of the Incident
The accident occurred as the aircraft was landing at Muan Airport, located 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The plane overran the runway and collided with the airport’s boundary fence. The impact was so severe that the aircraft caught fire and split into two parts.
According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, a powerful blaze broke out immediately after the crash, leaving many passengers and crew members trapped inside the plane. Fire crews launched a rescue operation without delay.
Casualties and Survivors
- Initial reports mentioned 28 fatalities, but this number soon rose to 62.
- South Korea’s national fire service then stated that there were significantly more victims and that “almost all passengers and crew” had perished.
- The official death toll currently stands at 96.
- Only two people—one passenger and one crew member—survived. Both were in the rear of the aircraft and are now hospitalized. Their condition has not been made public.
Passenger Nationalities
Of the 175 passengers, 173 were South Korean citizens, and two were Thai nationals. Authorities continue to identify the deceased and verify the information. No official statement on the citizenship of the victims has been released at this time.
Possible Causes
The cause of the crash has not yet been definitively established. Preliminary information suggests two possible explanations:
- Bird Strike. It is reported that a collision with birds may have led to a failure in the landing gear system, preventing the pilots from maintaining full control during landing.
- Adverse Weather Conditions. Authorities are examining meteorological data to determine whether weather factors such as poor visibility or strong winds may have contributed to the crash.
Jeju Air’s Safety Record
Jeju Air, based in South Korea, has been operating flights since 2006. Prior to this tragedy, the airline had never experienced a fatal incident. The only major event on record was in 2007 at Gimhae Airport (Busan), where a plane overran the runway; six passengers sustained minor injuries at that time.
Investigation Progress
A government commission on aviation incidents, including officials from the Ministry of Transport and aviation safety experts, arrived at the crash site to begin their investigation. Jeju Air’s management has pledged full cooperation with the authorities, offering all necessary technical and administrative support.
South Korea’s president expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called on the relevant agencies to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved and injured. Investigators have already begun to analyze the aircraft’s flight recorders. Official findings are expected to be announced in the near future.
