December 29th 2024.
In a tragic turn of events, a passenger plane caught fire and crashed at a South Korean airport on Sunday. It had skidded off the runway and collided into a concrete fence, claiming the lives of at least 120 people, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in the country.
Emergency services were immediately alerted and rushed to the scene at the Muan airport, located about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. The plane, belonging to Jeju Air, was carrying 181 passengers. The incident occurred at 9:03 am local time, according to the transport ministry.
The National Fire Agency reported that they were able to rescue two crew members, who remained conscious despite the horrific crash. They also deployed 32 fire trucks and multiple helicopters to control the raging fire. Shocking footage captured by YTN television showed the plane skidding across the airstrip, with its landing gear still closed, before crashing into a concrete wall. Other local stations showed thick black smoke billowing from the engulfed aircraft.
Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan fire station, briefed the media about the ongoing rescue efforts. He shared that they were working tirelessly to locate and retrieve bodies scattered by the impact of the crash. Lee also mentioned that the plane was completely destroyed, with only the tail assembly remaining somewhat recognizable amidst the wreckage.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with officials exploring various possibilities. One theory being considered is whether the plane was struck by birds, leading to mechanical problems. Senior Transport Ministry official Joo Jong-wan informed reporters that government investigators were already at the site to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Emergency officials in Muan suspected that there was a malfunction with the plane's landing gear. The transport ministry also revealed that the flight was returning from Bangkok and that two Thai nationals were among the passengers on board.
Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims through a post on social media. She also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide immediate assistance. This tragedy marks one of the deadliest air disasters in South Korea's history, the last one being in 1997 when a Korean Airline plane crashed in Guam, claiming 228 lives.
The timing of this incident is particularly unsettling, as South Korea is currently facing a political crisis. President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment has caused widespread chaos. Last Friday, lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, with Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok now taking over.
Choi has ordered all available resources to be utilized for the rescue efforts and has personally headed to Muan. Yoon's office has announced that his chief secretary, Chung Jin-suk, will lead an emergency meeting with senior presidential staff to discuss the crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this horrific tragedy.
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