Mon Dec 30 01:26:29 UTC 2024: ## Jeju Air Plane Crashes in South Korea, Killing 179
**Muan, South Korea** – A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers and crew crashed on landing at Muan Airport in South Korea on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 179 people. Only two flight attendants survived the fiery wreckage.
The aircraft, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, experienced a suspected bird strike during its initial landing attempt. Minutes later, the pilot issued a mayday call before attempting a second landing, which video footage shows involved a belly landing without the landing gear deployed. The plane skidded down the runway, collided with a wall, and burst into flames.
While investigations are underway, officials suspect a bird strike and adverse weather conditions contributed to the accident. The runway length is not believed to be a factor, according to authorities.
Hundreds of rescue workers, including military personnel, responded to the scene, which was declared a special disaster zone by Acting President Choi Sang-mok. He convened an emergency cabinet meeting and visited the crash site. Families of the victims gathered at the airport, overcome with grief.
This marks the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, which has a generally strong safety record. While South Korea’s aviation industry has a history of safe operations, previous incidents include a 2002 Air China crash near Busan and a 2013 Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco. The deadliest incident involving a South Korean airline was the 1983 shooting down of a Korean Air flight over the Sea of Japan.
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