“Tragedy at Muan Airport: 179 Lives Lost in South Korea Plane Crash”

In a harrowing incident at Muan International Airport in South Korea, a Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers and crew members met with disaster, resulting in the death of 179 individuals. The plane, which was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed upon landing, veering off the runway and slamming into a concrete fence before erupting into flames.

The tragedy occurred early Sunday morning, and rescue operations were swift to respond, pulling two crew members from the wreckage. These individuals, one man and one woman, were the sole survivors of the crash, having been rescued from the tail section of the aircraft. They are currently receiving treatment for their injuries, which have been described as moderate to severe but not life-threatening.

The crash has been attributed to a potential landing gear failure possibly triggered by a bird strike, as warned by the airport’s control tower minutes before the accident. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea’s history, reviving memories of past tragedies like the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was almost completely destroyed by fire, complicating rescue efforts. Among the deceased, the genders of 11 victims were not immediately identifiable, with the rest comprising 84 women and 82 men. The victims included two Thai nationals, with the majority being South Korean.

South Korean authorities have declared a special disaster zone at the crash site, and Acting President Choi Sang-mok has vowed a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash. The community and nation are in mourning, with condolences pouring in from around the world, including from King Charles and Pope Francis.

The aftermath of this disaster will undoubtedly lead to a stringent review of aviation safety protocols and emergency response procedures, aiming to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.