A tragic air disaster has claimed the lives of at least 120 people after Jeju Air flight 7C2216 crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
The ill-fated flight, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, veered off the runway shortly after 9:00 am local time, colliding with a wall and bursting into flames. The South Korean transport ministry confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members.
Emergency responders have recovered two survivors from the wreckage, and rescue operations are ongoing to locate others. The majority of passengers on board were South Korean nationals.
Preliminary reports suggest the possibility of bird strikes interfering with the plane’s systems, but the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
This incident marks the first fatal accident in the history of Jeju Air, a prominent low-cost carrier founded in 2005, known for its strong safety record until now.
In a statement, Jeju Air expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy. “We at Jeju Air lower our heads in apology to everyone harmed in this incident at Muan Airport,” the airline said. “We will do all we can to respond to the incident. We are deeply sorry for the distress caused.”
Muan International Airport, located in the southern region of South Korea, has been temporarily closed to facilitate rescue and investigative efforts. Opened in 2007, the airport serves as a key hub for international routes across Asia.
Emergency teams continue to work tirelessly at the scene, combing through the wreckage in hopes of finding additional survivors. The crash is one of the worst air disasters in South Korea in recent years, casting a shadow over the nation’s aviation sector.
