After a passenger jet with 181 people on board burst into flames after veering off the runway and colliding with a wall at an airport in South Korea’s Muan County on Sunday, authorities believe all but two onboard are feared to have been killed.
The aircraft, flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) during its landing, according to South Korea’s transport ministry.
Two survivors were pulled from the wreckage, authorities said, with rescue operations ongoing.
At least 58 bodies have been recovered so far, but that number is not final, a fire official told Reuters. Conflicting reports emerged on the number of survivors, with Yonhap news agency stating that three individuals had been rescued.
Authorities are working to locate and assist passengers in the aircraft’s tail section, which sustained significant damage in the crash, an airport official said.
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Footage shared by local media showed the twin-engine aircraft skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before colliding with a wall. The impact triggered a massive explosion, with flames and debris scattering across the tarmac. Photos depicted heavy smoke and fire engulfing parts of the plane.
Yonhap cited airport officials suggesting the landing gear may have malfunctioned due to a bird strike. A passenger reportedly texted a relative moments before the crash, describing a bird stuck in the wing. Their final message read, “Should I say my last words?”
Emergency Response
Dozens of emergency responders rushed to the scene, battling flames and working to extract passengers from the wreckage.
South Korea’s transport ministry has not yet confirmed casualty figures or the cause of the crash. Investigations are underway to determine the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
Jeju Air and airport authorities have not provided further statements on the incident.
The crash is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea in recent years, highlighting concerns about bird strikes and landing gear malfunctions in the aviation industry.
