A devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday claimed the lives of 179 people, leaving just two survivors. The incident involved Jeju Air Flight 2216, which skidded off the runway during landing and burst into flames. There were 181 people aboard the Boeing 737-800, including 175 passengers and six crew members.

A Flight Ends in Disaster

The ill-fated flight had departed Bangkok early Sunday morning, shortly after 2 a.m. local time, and was scheduled to land in Muan, approximately 180 miles south of Seoul. However, tragedy struck as the aircraft lost control and exploded after colliding with a barrier on the runway.

“The pilot declared mayday after reporting a bird strike,” said Joo Jong-wan, director of the Aviation Policy Division at South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He confirmed that the plane was “completely destroyed.” Video footage revealed flames engulfing the aircraft as thick smoke billowed into the air, with only the tail section remaining intact.

The Toll of the Deadliest Airline Disaster This Year

The crash marks the deadliest airline disaster of 2024 and the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history since its establishment in 2005. As of Monday afternoon, authorities had identified 146 of the 179 victims, while anxious families gathered at the airport, awaiting news of their loved ones.

Grief permeated the scene as officials read the names of the deceased, with sobs and screams echoing from family members. To support the grieving families, the Red Cross set up private tents, while a group led by Park Han-shin, who lost his brother in the crash, called for Jeju Air to cover funeral expenses and establish a memorial at the airport.

Survivors and Their Stories

Among the survivors were two crew members who managed to escape the inferno. A 33-year-old male flight attendant, identified by his surname Lee, sustained severe injuries, including fractured ribs and spinal trauma. Doctors at Ewha Woman’s University Seoul Hospital reported that he remains in intensive care but is able to communicate. The second survivor, a 25-year-old woman named Koo, suffered injuries to her ankle and head and is being treated at Asan Medical Center in Seoul.

Investigations Begin

Initial investigations suggest that a bird strike may have triggered the disaster. According to Joo, the pilots attempted to land on Runway 1 but were redirected to Runway 19 due to the bird strike warning. Moments later, the aircraft’s landing gear failed to deploy, and it collided with a localizer system before crashing into a wall.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 43 minutes of the crash. Both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are expected to shed light on the plane’s final moments. However, officials warn that the investigation could take months or even years to complete. An American team, including representatives from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, will assist South Korean authorities in their inquiry.

A Nation in Mourning

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, visited the crash site and declared it a “special disaster zone.” He vowed to thoroughly investigate the incident and extend full support to the victims’ families. Over 1,500 personnel have been mobilized for search-and-recovery efforts, and temporary mortuaries have been set up at the airport to accommodate the deceased. However, rising temperatures have prompted concerns about the preservation of the bodies, with calls for additional freezing containers.

International and Corporate Responses

Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, offered a public apology, taking full responsibility for the tragedy. The airline has pledged to provide support to the affected families. Boeing also extended its condolences and confirmed its cooperation with investigators.

In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed solidarity with South Korea, saying, “As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people, and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy.”

Witness Accounts

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing moments leading up to the crash. Lee Geun-Young, who owns a restaurant near the airport, described hearing loud banging noises as the plane veered dangerously close to the ground. “The plane flew right over our store,” he said. “It felt dangerous, so I immediately went up to the rooftop and started filming.”

Moving Forward

As South Korea grapples with the aftermath of this horrific incident, the focus remains on uncovering the cause and providing support to those affected. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of air travel and the profound impact such disasters have on individuals and communities alike.