Death Toll Surges to 80 in Tragic South Korean Airport Crash

In a devastating turn of events, the death toll from a plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport has now risen to 80. The incident occurred when a Jeju Air flight, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, skidded off the runway upon landing. The aircraft, which was returning from Bangkok, reportedly suffered from a landing gear malfunction leading to the catastrophic crash into a wall at around 9:03 AM local time on Sunday.

Initial reports from the South Korean fire agency confirmed 62 fatalities, but the number has tragically escalated as rescue teams continue to navigate through the wreckage. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, was almost entirely engulfed by fire, with emergency services deploying 32 fire trucks and several helicopters in an attempt to control the blaze and rescue trapped individuals.

Among the passengers, 173 were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals also on board. The crash site has been described as grim with rescue operations focusing on extracting survivors from the tail section of the aircraft, where some passengers were found still alive amidst the chaos.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but early reports suggest that a bird strike may have contributed to the landing gear failure. The national fire agency and transport ministry have been actively involved in managing the aftermath, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordering all available resources to be mobilized for rescue operations.

This incident has cast a shadow over South Korea’s aviation safety record and has prompted a national mourning as the country grapples with one of its worst domestic civil aviation disasters in recent history. Jeju Air has responded by activating emergency protocols and establishing support for the bereaved families, while flights at Muan Airport have been canceled to facilitate rescue and investigation efforts.

The tragedy has also occurred amidst political turmoil in South Korea, with the recent impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo, adding another layer of complexity to the response and recovery process.

Updates on the investigation, survivor conditions, and further impact assessments are expected to be provided by authorities in the coming hours.