South Korea entered a seven-day national mourning period following the worst plane crash in the nation’s history, which claimed 179 lives on Sunday. The tragedy occurred when Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, crash-landed at Muan International Airport in the country’s southwest, bursting into flames and leaving only two survivors.
The Crash and Its Immediate Aftermath
The flight, en route from Thailand to South Korea, carried 181 passengers and crew. Shortly before landing, the plane issued a mayday call and attempted a belly-landing after reportedly experiencing a landing gear malfunction. Despite the pilot’s skilled emergency maneuver, the plane skidded off the runway and collided with a solid barrier, causing it to burst into flames.
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Fire officials described the wreckage as “almost completely destroyed,” with passengers flung from the aircraft upon impact. The two survivors, both flight attendants, were pulled from the tail section and are being treated for severe injuries.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are racing to determine the cause of the disaster. Initial speculation pointed to a bird strike, with the Muan control tower having issued a warning shortly before the crash. However, experts analyzing video footage have questioned the presence of a solid barrier near the runway, a violation of international aviation safety standards.
Kim Kwang-il, an aviation professor, criticized the obstruction, stating that without it, the plane might have skidded to a halt without catching fire. Both black boxes, the flight data recorder, and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered, though damage to the flight data recorder may delay conclusions.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s transport ministry announced an urgent inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800s operated domestically. US aviation experts and Boeing representatives have joined the investigation to identify potential mechanical issues with the aircraft.
Victims and Grieving Families
The passengers ranged in age from three to 78 years old, predominantly South Koreans with two Thai nationals. Many were returning from holidays in Thailand. As of Monday, 141 victims had been identified through DNA and fingerprint analysis, with efforts ongoing for the remaining passengers.
At Muan airport, grieving families set up camp in temporary tents, awaiting news. “I had a son on board that plane,” said one elderly man. “His body has not yet been identified.”
At the crash site, the remains of the plane lay scattered across the field, while soldiers combed through reeds for additional body parts. Memorials have been held at the site, attended by the families and Acting President Choi Sang-mok.
Government Response
Choi, who took office just two days before the disaster, vowed to conduct a “thorough investigation” and overhaul the nation’s aviation safety systems. Flags were flown at half-mast, and the government promised full support to the bereaved families, including financial assistance. The crash marks a grim milestone for South Korea, whose last major aviation disaster occurred in 1997 when a Korean Air flight crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.
Jeju Air Faces Scrutiny
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, has come under intense criticism following the crash. On Monday, another Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 experienced a malfunction linked to its landing gear, forcing it to return to Gimpo International Airport shortly after takeoff.
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, apologized at a press conference, bowing deeply and accepting full responsibility. However, families of the victims expressed anger over what they perceived as lax safety standards and insufficient oversight.
Broader Aviation Concerns
Experts and officials are now grappling with broader questions about aviation safety. The presence of a solid structure at the end of the runway has drawn particular ire. Such obstructions contravene international guidelines that require soft barriers or open spaces beyond runways to minimize the impact of crashes. The disaster has also brought scrutiny to the Boeing 737-800, a widely used aircraft model that has been involved in past incidents, though not as controversial as the 737 MAX.
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As investigations continue, South Korea’s transport ministry has pledged comprehensive inspections of aircraft and maintenance protocols to restore public confidence in air travel. For now, the nation mourns the lives lost and grapples with the preventable factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.