A plane crash in South Korea has shocked the world, claiming 179 lives, including a 3-year-old child. The tragic accident happened on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport. The flight, operated by Jeju Air, was coming from Bangkok and carrying 175 passengers and six crew members.
The crash occurred during landing when the plane’s front landing gear failed to open. Without proper support, the Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway at high speed, hit a concrete wall, and caught fire. The impact and flames left no chance for most onboard to survive. Out of the six crew members, only two survived, but they suffered serious injuries.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest that a bird strike may have damaged the plane during its approach to the airport. Bad weather is also being considered as a possible factor. The flight’s black box, which records important flight data, has been recovered and will help determine exactly what went wrong.
The majority of the victims were South Korean citizens, but two passengers were from Thailand. This is one of the deadliest plane crashes in South Korea’s history. In response to the tragedy, the South Korean government has announced a week of national mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and special support will be offered to the victims’ families.
Jeju Air has expressed deep regret over the incident. The company’s CEO has promised to fully cooperate with the investigation and to provide assistance to those affected.
South Korea plane crash: AP News