(CNN): On Sunday, a horrific airplane accident occurred at an airport in southwestern South Korea, killing dozens of people. A Jeju Airplane from Bangkok crashed on its belly and caught flames when it attempted to land in Muan County.
Authorities said at least 96 individuals died as a result of the disaster. The local fire brigade reports that two survivors—both crew members—were retrieved, but there is little possibility that any more will be found.
A landing gear problem occurred on the Boeing 737-800, which was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, according to officials. Shortly after nine in the morning local time, the jet crashed, veering off the runway and colliding with an embankment.
High-speed video footage of the plane sliding on its belly before bursting into a flame was broadcast on South Korean news channels. Smoke streamed from the back of the plane as it skidded along the ground, and neither the front nor the back of the aircraft had landing gear.
Using water cannons, firefighters attempted to put out the burning wreckage. The runway was littered with pieces of the aircraft. The aircraft was identified by officials as a Boeing 737-800, a popular and dependable model in the aviation sector.
There were 47 men, 48 women, and an unidentified kid among the victims of the disaster. The emergency response team reported that the two survivors—a male and a female crew member—were among those saved.
The presence of two Thai nationals on board was confirmed by the Land Ministry of South Korea. The recovery of the plane's black box recorders will be a top priority for the National Incident Investigation Committee investigators who are investigating the cause of the incident.
For rescue and recovery efforts, more than 700 members of the Coast Guard, military, and police have been sent in. The Korea Airports Corporation declared that all flights to and from Muan International Airport had been canceled.
On Sunday afternoon, acting president Choi Sang-mok paid a visit to the crash scene. In order to demonstrate the government's commitment to handling the crisis, he had earlier directed emergency personnel to gather all available resources for rescue operations.
South Korea is experiencing political unrest at the time of this incident. Choi had taken over as acting president only two days earlier after Han Duck-soo, his predecessor, was impeached. After parliament suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, Han took over.
Aviation experts say the collision is very mysterious. The airline and the aircraft model have a solid safety record, and the landing conditions were ideal, according to *Airline News* editor Geoffrey Thomas.
As "the most trustworthy aircraft in the world," the Boeing 737-800 has been in operation for 20 years, according to Thomas. Confusion about how the disaster might have happened was increased when he hailed South Korea's maintenance standards as being among the highest in the world.
The disaster may have been caused by a landing gear malfunction, according to footage and early accounts. Whether the undercarriage failed to deploy completely or collapsed after landing is yet unknown, according to Thomas.
The mystery surrounding the incident was further compounded by the sunny and dry weather at the airport. Determining the precise reason for the landing gear breakdown is anticipated to be a major area of focus for investigators.
The catastrophe has sparked concerns about emergency response procedures and aircraft maintenance, making it one of the deadliest aviation mishaps to hit South Korea in recent memory. Officials are trying to answer questions from the public and bereaved relatives.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are prioritizing the recovery of victims’ remains and the plane’s critical data recorders. The incident has drawn international attention, particularly due to the reputation of the aircraft model and the airline involved.
This shocking event has left South Korea grappling with a dual crisis of aviation safety concerns and political instability. The investigation’s findings will be critical in addressing the causes and preventing future tragedies.
