Heartbreaking Tragedy: Jeju Air CEO Apologizes After South Korea Plane Crash Leaves 179 Feared Dead
A tragic plane crash involving a Jeju Air flight at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, has become one of the deadliest in the country’s aviation history. The flight, returning from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members, veered off the runway and collided with a fence before being engulfed in flames at around 9:03 AM local time. The accident has so far resulted in the deaths of 120 individuals, with 59 still missing, according to the national fire agency. Only two crew members were reported as survivors. Investigations suggest that the crash could have been caused by a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions, with one surviving crew member corroborating this theory.
Efforts continue to recover the cockpit voice recorder, essential to determining the crash’s precise cause, after the flight data recorder was found earlier. The incident has prompted the acting President Choi Sang-mok to designate Muan as a special disaster zone, while international condolences, including from U.S. and German ambassadors, have poured in. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae publicly apologized, expressing a profound sense of responsibility and pledging support for the bereaved families.
The crash of the Boeing 737-800 model halted operations at Muan, as all domestic and international flights were canceled. The route from Muan to Bangkok had been operational for only three weeks. Rescue operations have now transitioned to recovery, with the aircraft almost completely destroyed and identification efforts ongoing. The South Korean transport ministry has yet to announce an official cause as investigations continue.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/south-korea-plane-crash-live-updates-jeju-air-muan-boeing-death-toll-101735437972261.html
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Publish Date: 2024-12-29 12:35:00
