At least 179 people died in plane crash u South Korea, when Jeju Air's Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway during landing at 9.07:288 a.m. local time and hit a fence wall at Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, about XNUMX kilometers southwest of Seoul. the South Korean agency Yonhap reported.
The passenger plane returning from Bangkok was carrying a total of 175 passengers and six crew members. Except for the two rescued crew members who were transferred to the hospital, it is assumed that all of them, who are currently missing, have died, the fire authorities announced, adding that they are moving on to the search for bodies.
All passengers were Korean, except for two Thais. Footage broadcast by local TV stations showed the plane skidding on the ground and hitting a concrete wall before exploding and bursting into flames.
The plane was almost completely destroyed by the explosion. Authorities believe that the crash could have been caused by a landing gear failure, possibly caused by a bird strike, and that bad weather also played a role. An on-site investigation of the incident has begun to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Jeju Era CEO Kim E-bae, along with the entire management, publicly apologized to the victims of the accident.
"Regardless of the cause of the accident, I take full responsibility as CEO," Kim said. The Boeing company, which is a manufacturer of airplanes, sent its condolences and announced that it is in contact with the South Korean airline.
All domestic and international flights from Muan International Airport, where the accident happened, have been canceled, according to Yonhap news agency.
