A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, operating as Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, crashed during landing on Sunday morning, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. The aircraft, carrying 181 individuals, including 175 passengers and six crew members, skidded off the runway and collided with a concrete fence before bursting into flames.
Emergency responders, including 32 fire trucks and several helicopters, were dispatched to the scene to control the blaze and rescue survivors. Despite their efforts, at least 96 fatalities have been confirmed, with only two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—rescued from the wreckage. The fire was extinguished within 43 minutes, but the aircraft was almost completely destroyed.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a malfunction in the landing gear may have contributed to the accident. Witnesses reported that the plane's front landing gear failed to deploy, leading to a "belly landing" as the aircraft skidded across the runway. Authorities are also considering the possibility of a bird strike or adverse weather conditions, although the skies were reportedly clear at the time of the incident.
South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered an intensive rescue operation and a thorough investigation into the crash. This tragedy marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in South Korea's history, drawing parallels to the 2002 Air China Flight 129 disaster.
Jeju Air, founded in 2005, has expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and is cooperating fully with the investigation. The airline, along with aviation authorities, is under scrutiny as experts analyze the factors leading to this devastating event. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety standards and emergency response protocols in the region.
