Dozens of People Killed in South Korean Passenger Jet Crash
A passenger jet, Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 from Bangkok, crashed and burst into flames as it attempted to land at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, killing at least 85 people.
The plane, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was carrying the majority of its passengers as it slid down the runway on its belly before striking an embankment and erupting in a fireball. Video footage shows the aircraft careening down the runway on its belly, with neither the front nor back landing gear visible, as smoke poured from the back of the plane.
The crash was caused by a landing gear malfunction, according to officials. Two crew members, one male and one female, were pulled alive from the crash site, but rescue officials have warned that there is little hope of finding further survivors.
The victims include 39 males and 46 females, with two Thai nationals among those on board. The South Korean Land Ministry reported that both of the survivors were crew members. The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, with officers from the South Korea’s Incident Investigation Committee arriving on the scene, and all flights to Muan International Airport have been cancelled.
The crash comes at a time of political turmoil in South Korea, with the country’s current president, Yoon Suk Yeol, being stripped of his powers and the man who stepped in to replace him, Han Duck-soo, being impeached by parliament. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has instructed emergency responders to mobilize all available equipment and personnel to respond to the crash.