On December 29, 2024, a tragic aviation disaster unfolded in South Korea when a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport. Carrying 181 individuals, including 175 passengers and six crew members, the aircraft reportedly lost control and crash-landed on its belly before striking a barrier and erupting in flames, resulting in the death of 177 people.
The flight, designated as 7C2216, had taken off from Bangkok and was nearing its destination when it encountered difficulties around 9 a.m. local time. Officials described the wreckage as extensively damaged, identifying only the tail section amidst the debris. The National Fire Agency has confirmed the grim death toll, indicating the severity of the crash as the worst aviation disaster in the nation in almost three decades.
In the wake of the tragedy, investigations have been launched to determine the causes behind the catastrophic landing. Key focus areas include a suspected malfunction of the aircraft's landing gear and the potential impact of bird strikes or adverse weather conditions. Ju Jong-wan, a director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, revealed that prior to the crash, ground control had warned the incoming flight of a potential bird strike, shortly before the aircraft issued a mayday alert.
As emergency responders comb through the wreckage, two crew members were discovered and rescued from the tail of the aircraft, but the majority on board were not as fortunate. This incident has prompted a thorough review of safety protocols and emergency response measures in South Korea's aviation sector, as the nation grapples with the repercussions of this tragic accident.
