Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea Today, resulting in at least 179 fatalities among the 181 passengers. The aircraft, arriving from Bangkok, skidded off the runway during landing, collided with a concrete wall, and burst into flames. This disaster marks as South Korea’s deadliest aviation incidents.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike may have caused a malfunction in the landing gear, preventing its deployment. The airport’s control tower had issued a bird strike warning shortly before the crash, and the pilot had sent a distress signal.
Emergency response teams, including over 1,500 personnel and 32 fire trucks, were dispatched to the scene. Despite their efforts, the fire consumed the aircraft, leaving only the tail section recognizable. Two crew members survived the crash and are receiving medical treatment, while three individuals remain unaccounted for.
Jeju Air has expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and is cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation. The runway at Muan International Airport will remain closed until January 1, 2025, as officials continue to examine the circumstances leading to this catastrophic event.
