New Delhi: A Jeju Air flight crashed in Muan, South Korea, while attempting to land. The death toll of those on board is rising. According to South Korea’s firefighting agency, out of the 181 people on board, 176 have died, and 3 are missing. All but two passengers were killed as the plane slammed into a barrier and erupted into flames.
The accident occurred around 9 am when the Jeju Air plane, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, skidded off the runway while landing at Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, about 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul. Video of the accident shows the plane landing without deploying its landing gear.
Landing gear failure
The footage shows that the landing gear of the plane did not open while landing, causing it to skid and strike the boundary wall. The plane then exploded and caught fire. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the wings of the plane catch fire while it was still in the air.
Police and other agencies believe that after a bird struck the plane, the landing gear was damaged, leading to the fire. However, investigative agencies are continuing to probe the cause of the incident. The pilot issued an emergency signal just a minute before the crash. The plane has been completely destroyed and the search for the missing people is still ongoing.
Investigation underway, support offered
Muan fire station chief Lee Jeong-hyun said that the cause of the crash was likely a combination of the bird strike and adverse weather conditions but a joint investigation will confirm the exact cause. Jeju Air expressed its condolences and pledged to support the families of the victims. Boeing also offered its help to the airline. South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting to manage the response and ensure support for the bereaved families.
