Mon Dec 30 10:36:16 UTC 2024: **South Korea Mourns After Deadliest Domestic Air Crash**
Muan, South Korea – South Korea is in mourning following the deadliest domestic air disaster in its history. A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed at Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Only two flight attendants survived.
The crash, which occurred after a suspected landing gear malfunction, has prompted Acting President Choi Sang-mok to order an emergency safety inspection of all airline operations in the country, with a specific focus on all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently in domestic service. US investigators, potentially including Boeing representatives, will participate in the probe.
A seven-day national mourning period has been declared. Flags are flying at half-mast as citizens grapple with the tragedy. The investigation will explore several potential causes, including a reported bird strike, weather conditions, and the possibility of mechanical failure. While the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered, damage to the flight data recorder may delay the investigation.
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae has expressed full responsibility for the crash, regardless of the final cause, and offered his deepest apologies to the victims’ families. He stated that the airline had not identified any pre-existing mechanical issues with the aircraft. However, his attempt to offer condolences to grieving relatives at the airport was met with anger.
As of Monday, 141 of the victims have been identified through DNA analysis and fingerprint collection. Families of victims spent the night at the airport, awaiting news and supporting each other.
The majority of the passengers (175) were South Korean citizens; two Thai nationals were also among the deceased. Many were returning from winter holidays. The crash has rekindled memories of past aviation tragedies in South Korea, including the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam and the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco. The investigation is expected to take several months. A separate incident on Monday, involving a Jeju Air plane experiencing landing gear issues shortly after takeoff, has further heightened concerns about aviation safety in the country.
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