Korean Plane Crash Passenger’s Final Texts: “Bird Caught in Wing, Can’t Land, Should I Share My Last Words?”

On December 29, around 9:07 AM, a Jeju Air aircraft, which was transporting 181 individuals from Bangkok, tragically crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport, located in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. This catastrophic event has led to a significant number of casualties.

South Korean Plane Crashes and Catches Fire

A family member of one passenger, referred to as “A,” shared their anxiety with News1, stating, “I received a message from my family member on board about an issue with the plane, but I have not been able to contact them since.” This illustrates the panic and uncertainty faced by relatives during such crises.

Korean Plane Crash Passenger’s Last Texts

Reports reveal that another passenger, identified as “B,” texted “A” at 9:00 AM with alarming news: “A bird is stuck in the wing, and we can’t land.” Shortly after, when pressed for more information, “B” conveyed in a text just one minute later, “Just now. Should I leave a last message?” Unfortunately, communication ceased shortly thereafter.

The aircraft in question consisted of 175 passengers and six crew members on board.

Emergency Response and Rescue Operations

In response to the disaster, fire authorities initiated a Level 3 emergency protocol at 9:16 AM. They deployed a total of 80 rescue personnel along with 32 pieces of specialized equipment from various regional fire departments, including Honam and Yeongnam, concentrating on search and rescue missions.

Rescue Efforts After South Korean Plane Crash

As of 10:30 AM, authorities have confirmed fatalities of 28 passengers, with many others sustaining severe injuries. Fortunately, among the rescued are a male passenger in his 30s and a female crew member in her 20s, both of whom were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent care.

To assist in managing the crisis, temporary morgues have been established at the site, and communication has been set up with major medical facilities in Gwangju to handle the high volume of casualties effectively.

Investigating the Cause

Initial investigations suggest that the aircraft attempted to land despite a malfunctioning landing gear, potentially triggered by a bird strike. Subsequently, the plane collided with the perimeter wall of the airport, igniting a fire.

Fire response teams began extinguishing the flames within 43 minutes of the incident’s report and continue to comb through the wreckage for further evidence. Access to the crash site has been restricted by the airport authorities to facilitate these efforts.

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