South Korea plane crash caused by collision with birds leaves 179 dead, two survivors
A catastrophic plane crash in South Korea has claimed the lives of 179 people, leaving only two survivors. The Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, was carrying 181 passengers and crew when it collided with a flock of birds and crash-landed at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning. The aircraft skidded along the runway on its belly before erupting into flames, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
The two survivors, both crew members, were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft, the only part of the plane that retained its shape after the crash. The victims, ranging in age from 3 to 78, included passengers from various walks of life. Families waiting at the airport broke down in anguish as authorities read out the names of the deceased.
This is the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea since a 1997 Korean Airlines crash in Guam that killed 228 people. Videos of the crash showed the plane sliding at high speed before hitting an embankment and bursting into flames. Smoke poured from the aircraft, with neither the front nor rear landing gear visible during the incident.
Initial reports suggest the crash may have been caused by bird strikes, potentially exacerbated by a landing gear malfunction or poor weather conditions. Both black boxes have been recovered, containing critical flight data and voice recordings that will aid investigators in determining the exact cause. A team of U.S. safety experts from the National Transportation Safety Board has joined the investigation.
The Boeing 737-800, a model renowned for its reliability, has a strong safety record, and Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost airline, has historically maintained a solid reputation. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, raising fresh concerns about the risks posed by bird strikes to commercial airliners.
Grieving families have been left devastated. Many had gathered at the airport to await loved ones, only to be met with the heartbreaking news. One father recounted how he had spoken to his daughter just days before the crash, never imagining it would be their last conversation.
The incident occurs amid a period of political instability in South Korea, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok visiting the crash site only two days after assuming office. The government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation while addressing the safety concerns highlighted by this disaster.
As South Korea mourns the lives lost in this horrific tragedy, the crash underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and advanced technologies to mitigate risks in aviation.
