Jeju Air Plane Crash Involves Families and Children on Vacation

Tragic Aircraft Incident in South Korea Claims Lives of Many Passengers

On the morning of December 29, a catastrophic accident occurred involving Jeju Air Flight 2216, which was returning from Bangkok with 181 people onboard. During its attempted emergency belly landing, the aircraft experienced a critical landing gear failure, leading it to veer off the runway and subsequently collide with a wall. Emergency rescue teams are currently on-site conducting recovery operations.

According to statements released by the fire department, only two passengers have survived this tragic incident, with the remaining individuals presumed deceased. “We are fully engaged in recovery efforts,” officials reiterated, emphasizing their commitment to the situation.

The flight’s passenger list comprised six crew members, 173 South Korean passengers, and two individuals from Thailand. Aerial and ground footage shows the severity of the impact resulting from the collision.

South Korean Plane Crashes and Catches Fire

Reports from the Chosun Ilbo suggest that many passengers were family members traveling together, as a significant number shared the same surname. Distressingly, many of those on board included young individuals born in the 2010s, marking this tragedy as especially heart-wrenching for affected families.

Eyewitness accounts from family members at the airport reveal the emotional toll of this disaster. One distressed individual expressed, “They left so joyfully for Christmas, and now this happens,” while another lamented the loss of multiple loved ones—her mother and five aunts were among the passengers aboard the ill-fated flight.

Additionally, it has emerged that some passengers sent messages before the crash, which are now circulating online and drawing expressions of profound sympathy from the public.

Flight and Details of the Incident

Jeju Air Flight 2216 left Bangkok Airport at approximately 2:29 a.m. (KST) and was scheduled to arrive at Muan Airport at 8:59 a.m. Tragically, during its landing approach, the aircraft encountered issues with its landing gear, reportedly due to a potential collision with a bird or maintenance deficiencies. This malfunction led to the airplane skidding off the runway, resulting in it crashing against the outer wall of the airport.

Officials from the South Jeolla Fire Headquarters provided updates to the families gathered at the scene, confirming, “Out of the 181 passengers, only two survived. The collision with the wall caused many passengers to be ejected from the aircraft, severely reducing the chances of survival.” Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of this devastating accident and to compile an official casualty count.

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