South Korean Plane Crash: 181 Passengers on Board, At Least 61 Fatalities, Survivor Reports ‘Smoke from One Engine Before Fire’

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, a significant incident involving Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 occurred at 9:07 a.m. local time on December 29. The flight, which was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan International Airport, was carrying a total of 175 passengers and six crew members when it veered off the runway and tragically ignited upon landing.

South Korean Plane Crashes and Catches Fire

By 10 a.m., rescue efforts had successfully saved two individuals from the tail section. Emergency personnel, including police and firefighters, are diligently working to ascertain the total number of casualties.

Emergency Response Mobilization

Rescue teams responded promptly, launching operations to search for survivors. The ill-fated flight had left Bangkok at 1:30 a.m. and was scheduled to touch down at Muan Airport at 8:30 a.m. However, issues arose as the aircraft struggled during its landing attempts.

Reports indicate that on its first landing approach, the aircraft failed to reduce its speed effectively and necessitated a second attempt, which ultimately ended in disaster near runway 1.

Explosion and Preliminary Investigations

Witnesses describe a harrowing scene as the aircraft exploded after colliding with a wall at the airport’s end. Initial investigations point towards a potential malfunction of the landing gear as a contributing factor to the crash.

By 11:34 a.m., the South Korean National Fire Agency reported a rising casualty figure, with 47 confirmed dead. Rescue operations are continuing with urgency as the situation develops.

As of noon local time, the death toll has tragically increased to 62, with ongoing efforts to rescue and treat injured passengers and crew members.

A 25-year-old crew member, now hospitalized in Mokpo, recounted to emergency responders, “Smoke started coming from one of the rear engines, followed by an explosion.” This firsthand account sheds light on the events leading to the catastrophe.

This aircraft was manufactured in 2009, serving for approximately 15.4 years. The investigation into the exact cause of this tragic accident is ongoing, raising concerns about aviation safety and operational protocols in such incidents.

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