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A devastating crash in South Korea has claimed at least 151 lives after a plane with 181 passengers veered off the runway during landing and collided with a wall at Muan International Airport. The Jeju Air flight was returning from Bangkok when the tragedy occurred, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Harrowing footage captured the moment the 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft slid down the runway, skidding uncontrollably before crashing into concrete and igniting a massive fire. South Korea’s emergency office indicated that the aircraft’s landing gear may have malfunctioned, with the possibility of a bird strike being among the theories under investigation.

Authorities have confirmed the deaths of at least 151 people, including 54 men and 57 women. The death toll is expected to rise, as many passengers remain missing several hours after the disaster, which marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in South Korean history.
Reports indicate that a passenger sent a final text to a relative, mentioning a bird struck the plane’s wing, adding to the heartbreak of the incident. Families gathered at the airport, devastated by the loss, as Red Cross volunteers provided blankets and support.
Nine of the victims’ bodies were so severely injured that their gender couldn’t be immediately determined. The flight carried 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. Two survivors, both crew members, were rescued from the wreckage and are reported to be conscious.
A major response effort included 32 fire trucks, several helicopters, and more than 1,500 responders working to manage the fire and rescue operations. Lee Hyeon-ji, a local fire department official, stated that the death toll is expected to grow due to the critical injuries of some passengers.
Jeju Air expressed deep regret over the incident, with CEO Kim E-bae offering a formal apology and taking full responsibility. The airline has pledged to support the victims’ families and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
The disaster, believed to have been caused by a bird strike leading to landing gear failure, occurred after the plane attempted one landing, then circled back for a second attempt. A failure of the landing gear to deploy properly caused the aircraft to slide along the runway, ultimately crashing into a concrete wall and bursting into flames.
Flightradar data shows the Boeing 737-800 took off from Bangkok at 2:29 AM local time and was scheduled to arrive at 8:30 AM, but it landed at 8:59 AM. Boeing has confirmed it is in communication with Jeju Air and is offering support.
An on-site investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, with officials mobilizing all available resources to assist in the rescue operations. This tragedy ranks among South Korea’s deadliest aviation disasters, surpassing the 1997 Korean Air crash and other significant international incidents.
More details https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14232987/plane-crash-South-Korea-airport.html