Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok, crashed during a belly landing after its landing gear malfunctioned, reportedly due to a bird strike.
The crash occurred just after 9 a.m. local time, when the aircraft skidded down the runway, collided with a wall, and erupted into a massive fireball. Video footage captured flames and thick smoke engulfing the plane, with only the tail section remaining somewhat intact.
'Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of the plane looks almost impossible to recognize,' said Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun during a press briefing.
Rescuers managed to save two crew members from the tail section, both suffering from medium to severe injuries. Despite this, authorities have shifted from rescue to recovery operations, as the force of the impact made survival unlikely for others.
'We are searching nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane,' added Lee.
Preliminary investigations suggest a bird strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. One passenger reportedly texted a relative before the crash, saying, 'A bird is stuck in the wing. Should I say my last words?'
The crash is the worst involving a South Korean airline since the 1997 Korean Air disaster in Guam, which killed 229 people.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the scene, pledging full government support for recovery efforts.
Jeju Air expressed deep regret, with CEO Kim Yi-bae stating, 'We will do everything we can to deal with this accident,' while Boeing extended condolences, promising to assist in the investigation.
Authorities are working to identify victims, many of whom are believed to be South Korean nationals, along with two Thai passengers.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/scores-dead-in-south-korea-s-worst-plane-crash-in-decades
