Jeju Air Experiences Fatal Accident, 179 Passengers Dead, 2 Crew Survive

Kapanlagi.com - On the dark morning of Sunday, December 29, 2024, Muan International Airport, South Korea, became a silent witness to a heart-wrenching tragedy. A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people, including passengers and crew, experienced a fatal accident during landing. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft skidded off the runway, crashed into a fence, and struck a wall, causing a horrific blaze.

The plane, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, was supposed to arrive in Muan at around 08:30 local time. However, issues with the landing gear were suspected to be the main cause of this heartbreaking incident. Only two people managed to survive the disaster, a male flight crew member and a female crew member. With 179 lives lost, this accident is recorded as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea in recent decades.

Video footage capturing the final moments before the plane skidded shows how dramatic the situation was. Reports from local officials revealed that most passengers could not survive due to the immense impact of the accident. Despite rescue teams working tirelessly, the flames engulfing the aircraft complicated evacuation efforts.

Here are important facts regarding this tragic incident that claimed 179 lives, summarized by Kapanlagi.com on Monday (30/12).

1. Chronology of the Jeju Air Plane Crash in Muan

On the dark morning of Sunday, December 29, 2024, at around 09:00 local time, a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers from Bangkok to Muan International Airport experienced a heart-wrenching accident. After struggling to land, the unfortunate plane lost control on the runway, skidded, and crashed into the airport's perimeter wall with a horrific explosion.

Footage from eyewitnesses and local media showed the tense moment as the plane slid without wheels, defying gravity and speed before the catastrophic explosion occurred. Tragically, of the 181 passengers, 179 were confirmed dead, while two survivors were rushed to the hospital in stable condition, despite suffering serious injuries.

"Of the 181 passengers, most are presumed dead, except for two who were successfully rescued," said a Jeolla Fire Department official, as reported by Yohap in ANTARA.

2. Survivors Are at the Tail of the Plane

The rescue process at the scene took place very quickly and with great enthusiasm. The fire department and rescue personnel immediately sprang into action, controlling the fire and trying to locate any survivors.

Out of 181 people on board the plane, two were found alive—a man and a woman, both of whom were crew members. They were found in the nearly intact tail of the plane and were quickly rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

Lee, the man, is in stable condition despite suffering several broken bones, while Koo, the female survivor, has injuries to her ankle and head, but her condition is better and she is now receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

The airport personnel are working tirelessly to ensure that all surviving victims receive the medical attention they need.

3. Causes of the Accident: Landing Gear Problems and Engine Damage

The investigation into the Jeju Air plane accident is still ongoing, and the mystery behind this incident is beginning to unfold. Several early reports indicate that a failure in the landing gear may be the main cause.

South Korean officials, including the head of the Muan Fire Department, suspect the possibility of a collision with a bird or other technical issues affecting the performance of the landing gear. Malfunctioning wheels can make the aircraft difficult to control, forcing it to slide off the runway.

In an effort to uncover the truth, authorities have successfully located both black boxes of the aircraft, which are expected to provide important clues about the chronology of this accident—whether it was caused by technical issues or human error. However, the journey to determine the exact cause of this tragedy is expected to take years.

4. Families of the Victims in Mourning

At Muan International Airport, a tense atmosphere enveloped the day as hundreds of victims' families awaited news about their loved ones with fading hope. A deep sense of grief gripped the hearts of everyone, especially for those who lost the chance to say goodbye before the tragedy struck.

A father who lost his daughter in the accident could not hold back his tears while speaking to the international media, expressing how shattered his heart was to know that their last meeting was a moment he never imagined.

Not far from there, another father, Jeon Je-Young (71), shared his sorrow, recounting how his daughter was almost home, unaware that her final call might have come too late, and the plane she was on had crashed.

5. How many victims were there in the Jeju Air accident in Muan?

In a horrific tragedy, out of a total of 181 passengers on the plane, 122 people lost their lives, while only two crew members managed to survive the disaster.

6. What caused the Jeju Air plane crash?

Failure of the landing gear, combined with the threat of a bird strike and unfavorable weather conditions, is believed to be the main factors behind this incident.

7. What is the condition of the survivors?

Two crew members who survived the incident sustained serious injuries, but are now in stable condition after receiving intensive medical care.

8. What was found from the investigation of this accident?

Both black boxes of the missing plane were finally found, bringing new hope in the effort to uncover the mystery behind this tragic accident. The investigative team is now working hard to analyze the data contained in the boxes, hoping to reveal the exact cause of this unfortunate incident.

(kpl/srr)