South Korea’s deadliest Air Tragedy claims 179 Lives

Seoul (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic air disaster struck South Korea on December 30 when a passenger jet crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in the southwest of the country. The crash involving Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 resulted in the deaths of 179 people with only two crew members surviving. The aircraft a Boeing 737-800 was carrying 175 passengers including 173 South Koreans and two Thais along with six flight attendants. The plane's landing gear reportedly malfunctioned possibly due to a bird strike leading to a failed initial landing attempt. The aircraft attempted a second landing with a belly landing which caused it to skid off the runway break apart and catch fire. TV footage showed massive black smoke and flames engulfing the plane as it came to a stop. The fire authorities confirmed the recovery of 179 bodies by 8:38 p.m. local time.

This is the deadliest air disaster in South Korea's modern history, surpassing the 1993 crash that claimed 66 lives. Authorities have completed the retrieval of both the flight data and voice recorders to investigate the cause of the tragedy. However, they have cautioned that it could take months or even years to determine the exact cause. In response to the disaster the acting president of South Korea, Choi Sang-mok, declared a week-long national mourning period from December 30 to January 4, and set up memorial altars across the country. Civil servants are to wear mourning ribbons and the government will offer support to the victims' families and the injured. Muan County has been declared a special disaster area as part of the response efforts.