Jeju Air flight crash near Seoul follows bird strike warning; only two aboard survive. Investigations ongoing.
Firefighters continue searching the remains of a Jeju Air plane that crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea.
The incident occurred shortly after the cockpit reported a bird strike. This warning followed an alert indicating the presence of birds near the airport.
The flight attempted an emergency landing but crashed without deploying its landing gear. Of the 181 people onboard, only two flight attendants survived.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash, with support from the U.S. authorities and Boeing.
Authorities retrieved the aircraft’s black boxes, though one is damaged, complicating analysis. South Korea’s acting President has ordered safety inspections of all Boeing 737-800 jets.
The aircraft involved had previously maintained a strong safety record over 27 years. Following the tragedy, there was a significant cancellation of flights, and Jeju Air’s stock fell.
The passengers included families and government employees en route from Bangkok. The plane encountered difficulties during landing, prompting a mayday call from the cockpit.
Before the crash, passengers communicated their concerns about the situation via text. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud crashes as the plane descended.
The aircraft hit a barrier before catching fire moments after landing. As the death toll rose, many families gathered at the airport for updates.
Ongoing efforts are in place to identify the victims, with some using DNA analyses. One surviving flight attendant is receiving medical treatment in intensive care.
