SEOUL, South Korea – In one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters, 179 people were killed on Sunday, December 29, 2024, when a Jeju Air passenger plane skidded and crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport.
The Boeing 737-800, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, when the accident occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time (00:03 GMT).
The National Fire Agency confirmed the death toll, which includes 85 women, 84 men, and 10 whose genders have not yet been identified. Two crew members were rescued from the wreckage.
Devastating Crash
Initial reports suggest the crash was caused by bird strikes that damaged the plane’s landing gear as it approached the runway.
Images from the scene show the aircraft engulfed in flames, thick black smoke rising above the airport.
Eyewitness accounts described a fiery explosion as the plane skidded on its belly along the runway.
“The scenes are catastrophic,” said Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Seoul.
“Witnesses reported multiple explosions, and the fire left many victims unrecognisable.”
Only 65 of the 179 victims have been identified so far due to the extent of the fire damage.
National Response
The South Korean government has declared seven days of national mourning.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok directed emergency services to prioritise rescue operations and utilise all available resources.
“All related agencies must mobilise to save lives and provide support for those affected,” Choi said in a statement.
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation in the investigation.
“We deeply apologise for this tragic accident and will do everything in our power to respond effectively,” the airline said.
Details of the Flight
The 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 was carrying mostly South Korean passengers, along with two Thai nationals.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences and ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist Thai victims’ families.
One haunting text message shared by local media captured the last words of a passenger who noticed something wrong mid-flight: “Should I say my last words?”
Investigative Challenges
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has launched an investigation.
The aircraft’s black boxes have been recovered, and authorities are examining evidence, including reports that birds struck the plane during its descent.
Jeju Air has a strong safety record, with this being its first fatal crash since its founding in 2005.
The airline experienced a non-fatal incident in 2007 when a Bombardier Q400 veered off a runway due to strong winds, causing minor injuries.
Broader Context
The crash coincides with a volatile political climate in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol recently imposed martial law, leading to his impeachment.
The ongoing crisis has overshadowed rescue efforts, with public attention divided between the tragedy and the nation’s political upheaval.
As the nation grieves, families of the victims await answers and accountability for an accident that has left a deep scar on South Korea’s aviation history.
