The death toll from a catastrophic plane crash in South Korea has tragically risen to 179, with the cause of the blaze now revealed. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 was engulfed in flames after it veered off the runway at Muan International Airport, just days after the horrifying Azerbaijan tragedy where a packed passenger jet crashed into a ball of fire on Christmas Day.
The Boeing aircraft, carrying 181 passengers, skidded off the airport runway upon landing and hit a fence, with officials suggesting that the landing gear may have malfunctioned. Witnesses reported hearing loud “bang” sounds during the failed landing attempts, forcing the pilots to circle for another try.
In chilling video footage, they seemed to be attempting a belly landing but were unable to slow down quickly enough. It’s suspected that a bird strike caused the landing gear issue, leading the aircraft to veer off the runway and collided with a perimeter wall.
The jet split into two while erupting into a ball of flames, causing one of South Korea’s deadliest plane crashes in more than a decade. Emergency officials are investigating the exact cause of the fire and have dispatched 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to control the blaze.
Local TV stations broadcasted harrowing scenes as thick plumes of black smoke rose from a plane ablaze. Shocking images captured the aircraft’s tail section consumed by fire while emergency teams scrambled to the site, reports Express US.
The South Korean Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry is investigating the crash. All flights to and from Muan Airport in Jeollanam-do have been cancelled.
In the wake of the tragedy, Acting President Choi Sung-mok, who assumed leadership of South Korea just last Friday following his predecessor’s impeachment, has called for a full-scale rescue mission.
Choi made his way to the Central Disaster Management Headquarters in Seoul at 9.50am before heading to the crash site, located 300km from the capital.
The witness, who was fishing near Muan Airport at 9am, said in a phone call with local broadcasters, “The plane was flying low to land when it collided with the flock of ducks.
“The ducks then started to scatter like crazy and it looked like the plane was on fire.” He added: “Then, a moment later, there was a loud bang and a huge amount of smoke rose into the sky.”
In the aftermath of the crash, the airliner Jeju Air has placed a message on its website, which reads: “Jeju Air deeply bows in apology to all those affected by the Muan Airport accident. Our first priority is to do everything possible to manage this incident. We sincerely apologise for causing concern.”
There were just two survivors from the deadly crash. One passenger and a crew member.
