Mon Dec 30 18:32:40 UTC 2024: ## Hundreds Dead in South Korea Plane Crash; Families Demand Answers

**Muan, South Korea** – A devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday has claimed the lives of 179 people, leaving the nation in mourning and sparking outrage among bereaved families demanding answers and support from the government and Jeju Air. All 175 passengers and four crew members perished in the crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800, with only two flight attendants surviving and hospitalized.

The aircraft, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, crash-landed short of the runway, its landing gear retracted, before colliding with a concrete structure. The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, hampered by potential damage to the plane’s black boxes. While a bird strike is being considered as a possible contributing factor, aviation experts express bewilderment at the sequence of events leading to the disaster, citing unusual circumstances surrounding the landing and a subsequent loss of air traffic control data.

Hundreds of distraught family members have gathered at the airport, frustrated by the lack of timely updates from Jeju Air and government officials. They are anxiously awaiting the release of their loved ones’ bodies, with the process delayed by the need for DNA analysis, although 141 bodies have been identified. A representative for the families has demanded immediate financial compensation from Jeju Air and increased government support for identification efforts.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared a seven-day national mourning period, cancelled New Year’s Day celebrations, and ordered a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean carriers. A US team is assisting South Korean aviation authorities in the investigation. Muan International Airport remains closed, and Jeju Air has reported a significant number of flight cancellations in the wake of the tragedy. The airline has issued an apology, stating that this is their first fatal accident since their 2005 launch. The incident is being considered the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea’s history.

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