29th December 2024 – (Seoul) A fatal accident involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 has resulted in the recovery of 120 bodies, with authorities estimating a total of 179 fatalities from the crash at Muan Airport, South Korea today. Only two individuals—one male and one female crew member—have been confirmed as survivors.
The flight, numbered 7C2216, had departed from Bangkok and was carrying 175 passengers, including 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft encountered a flock of birds upon landing, which may have caused the landing gear to fail. The plane skidded off the runway and collided with a protective wall, subsequently igniting in a fireball that was captured in disturbing video footage.
Compounding the tragedy, reports indicate that the same aircraft had experienced engine issues two days prior, on 27th December, when passengers noted that the right engine had reportedly caught fire during takeoff. Passengers on that flight expressed concerns to cabin crew, but were reassured that there were no safety issues. Despite these warnings, the plane was cleared for its next flight, leading to this devastating incident.
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, has publicly apologised and stated that assisting the families of the victims is the airline’s top priority. Boeing has also extended condolences and is in contact with Jeju Air regarding the situation. As investigations continue, the focus will likely shift to understanding the factors that led to this catastrophic event.
