Jeju Air Victims’ Families Demand Transparency: “At Least Let Us Hear the Names of the Deceased”

On December 29th, at 2:30 PM, the waiting area on the first floor of Muan International Airport became the scene of heartbreak as families awaited news of their loved ones. The atmosphere turned somber when the names of the deceased were announced amidst anguished cries.

Official Briefing and Confirmed Casualties

Lee Jin-cheol, the head of the Busan Regional Office of Aviation, conducted the initial briefing for the distressed families. He reported, “As of 2 PM, the aircraft wreckage has been located. We have confirmed 96 fatalities among the 181 individuals on board, which included 175 passengers and 6 crew members. Two survivors are currently receiving medical attention, while the deceased have been taken to a temporary mortuary. Following identification, their remains will be sent to funeral homes.”

Investigation of the Accident

When asked about the cause of the tragedy, Lee emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation: “The accident investigation committee will ascertain the precise cause once all remains have been recovered and examined.”

Families Demand Transparency

After the official remarks, families, desperate for clarity, implored Lee to release the names of the five individuals whose identities had, at that point, been confirmed. One anguished voice echoed through the crowd, “Just tell us if they’re alive or dead. We need to know so we can go to the hospital.”

Emotional Response to the Announcements

As officials began announcing the names along with the birth years of the deceased, grief erupted in the waiting area. Families cried out in despair, saying, “We came here to confirm whether they were alive or dead. Why is this information only coming to us now?”

Identity Verification Efforts

A police officer present during the briefing shared crucial details about the ongoing identity verification efforts: “Approximately 40 officers are actively working to confirm identities. To ensure accurate information, we are meticulously cross-referencing personal belongings and fingerprints. We kindly request your patience, especially for cases involving severely damaged remains where fingerprints are unidentifiable; DNA samples may need to be collected for familial comparison, potentially extending the timeline.”

The Crash Incident

Earlier that day, at approximately 9:03 AM, tragedy struck when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok attempted to land at Muan International Airport but crashed, resulting in impact with surrounding structures. The Boeing 737-800 was carrying 175 passengers (173 from South Korea and two from Thailand) and six crew members, immediately engulfing the aircraft in flames.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

By 9:46 AM, emergency responders had successfully extinguished the fire and rescued two injured crew members from the tail section of the aircraft. Unfortunately, the majority of the passengers are presumed deceased. Firefighting and aviation authorities are diligently conducting rescue operations alongside efforts to verify casualties and investigate the accident’s underlying causes.

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