MUAN — A devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport has claimed the lives of 179 people, with only two survivors, both flight crew members, managing to escape the wreckage. The Boeing 737-800 flight, operated by Jeju Air, was arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, when it tragically went down, resulting in the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea’s history.

The flight, which had 181 people on board, including six crew members, was approaching Muan International Airport when it crashed. Rescue crews rushed to the scene, and emergency responders from various units worked tirelessly to recover the victims and assist the survivors. The two crew members, both of whom survived the crash, are now receiving medical treatment.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and while details are still emerging, the survivors have begun to provide information to authorities about the flight’s final moments. Preliminary reports suggest that weather conditions may have played a role in the accident, although this has not been confirmed. Authorities are also examining the aircraft’s black box data to gather further insights.

Government Response

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) has mobilized a team of investigators to determine the cause of the crash. Minister Kim Yun-joon has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, stating, “This is an unprecedented tragedy, and the government is committed to a thorough investigation into what led to this devastating loss of life.”

The Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KTSA) is also involved in the investigation and has urged the public to refrain from speculation until the investigation is complete.

In a joint statement, the Jeju Air airline has expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of those lost in the crash. The airline also confirmed that it is cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation process.

The incident has prompted both national and international responses, with aviation experts and safety organizations offering their assistance to the investigation team. (zai)