South Korea Plane Crash: 179 Feared Dead out of 181 on board, Only 2 Survivors Pulled from Wreckage

South Korea (The Uttam Hindu): At least 179 people are presumed dead following a catastrophic plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning. According to media sources citing firefighters only two survivors have been rescued so far from the wreckage of the Jeju Air flight which was en route from Bangkok. The flight carried 181 people and crashed during an emergency landing attempt at approximately 9:03 a.m. local time.

The Boeing 737-800 reportedly experienced a landing gear failure forcing the aircraft to attempt a belly landing. Eyewitnesses described hearing loud "bangs" as the plane struck the airport’s perimeter wall breaking apart upon impact and erupting into flames. Local media suggested a possible bird strike may have occurred during descent. Footage shared by media outlets captured the twin-engine aircraft skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before colliding with a wall in a fiery explosion. Photos showed thick smoke and flames consuming sections of the aircraft.

Emergency responders have so far rescued two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—from the tail section of the plane. Both are receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to recover additional bodies trapped within the fuselage.

South Korea’s Worst Aviation Disaster

This tragedy marks the worst domestic civil aviation disaster in South Korea's history and the first fatal accident for Jeju Air a prominent low-cost carrier established in 2005. Prior to this, Jeju Air's most serious incident occurred on August 12, 2007, when a Bombardier Q400 with 74 passengers skidded off the runway at Busan-Gimhae Airport due to strong winds, causing injuries to a dozen passengers.