At noon on December 29, Korean authorities updated the casualties in the Jeju Air plane crashing off the runway and crashing into the airport fence, according to Yonhap news agency.
The number of confirmed deaths in the plane crash in South Korea has increased to 85. To date, only two people have been rescued from the scene, including a man and a woman.
Fire authorities say most of those remaining on the plane are presumed dead. A fire official in Jeolla South said the passengers were thrown out when the plane collided with the fence and had almost no chance of survival. He added that the plane’s fuselage was almost completely destroyed and it was difficult to identify those who died.
Scene of the plane crash in Korea on the morning of December 29
Jeju Air’s Boeing 737-800, flight 7C 2216, carried 181 people (including a crew of 6) from Bangkok (Thailand) to South Jeolla Province (South Korea). The plane failed to slow down during its second attempt to land at Muan International Airport and crashed into a fence, catching fire.
Authorities said the plane’s landing gear was damaged, causing the plane to land on its belly near the end of the runway.
Emergency services, including 80 firefighters, immediately arrived at the scene. The fire was brought under control within 43 minutes. Two survivors have been released but authorities fear more deaths. Among the passengers were 173 Koreans and 2 Thais.
Firefighters said almost everyone on the plane died, except for two people who were rescued.
Preliminary investigation shows that the plane may have hit a flock of birds, causing the landing gear to be damaged.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok arrived at the disaster response center after the plane crash. Mr. Choi directed urgent priority to rescue and ensure the safety of all people on the plane, devoting all his efforts to the rescue campaign. The leader also emphasized the need to ensure safety during the rescue process and prevent incidents involving rescue workers.
Yonhap quoted several witnesses on the ground as saying they saw fire coming from the right wing engine of the plane before landing, followed by an explosion.
Jeju Air said it would do its best to respond to the accident. “We are working to verify the exact cause and details of the situation. The plane has been in operation for 15 years and has had no accidents,” the airline announced.
The Korean Ministry of National Defense said about 180 soldiers and many fire trucks and ambulances were mobilized to respond to the accident.
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Binh expressed condolences for the victims of the plane crash and affirmed that the Chinese Embassy stands in solidarity with Korea during this difficult time. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash at Muan airport today. I would like to express my sincere condolences to the victims and their families, and I would like to express my condolences on behalf of my colleagues to the injured,” the ambassador wrote on social network X.
