29th December 2024 – (Seoul) In the wake of a devastating aircraft accident, Choi Sang-mok, the acting president and current finance minister, arrived at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in Seoul at 9.50am. According to Yonhap, Choi promptly ordered the mobilisation of all available equipment and personnel to assist in the ongoing rescue operations. He highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding the firefighters engaged in these rescue efforts.
Following the issuance of these directives, Choi departed for the crash site located at Muan International Airport, approximately 300 kilometres south-west of the capital.
Local fire authorities have reported that the initial fire resulting from the incident has been brought under control, with rescue operations now concentrating on locating passengers in the aircraft’s tail section. Emergency services were dispatched shortly after Jeju Air flight 2216, which had taken off from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed at 9.03am local time.
At least 28 fatalities have been confirmed as a result of the crash. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when it veered off the runway during landing. Preliminary reports indicate that the incident may have stemmed from a malfunction in the landing gear, possibly triggered by a bird strike. Eyewitness accounts and images circulated by local media reveal flames and smoke engulfing parts of the aircraft as emergency responders rushed to the scene, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation.
