South Korea plane crash: Police raid Muan Airport, Jeju Air office

Seoul: South Korean authorities announced they had conducted searches at Muan airport and the Jeju Air office on Thursday in connection with the crash of one of the airline’s Boeing 737-800s, which resulted in the deaths of 179 people.

"In relation to the plane accident that occurred on December 29, a search and seizure operation is being conducted from 9 a.m. on January 2 at three locations,” including Muan, the Jeju Air office in Seoul, plus a regional aviation office, police said in a statement.

The South Korean Ministry of Transportation had launched an official investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. While faulty landing gear has been considered a key factor, officials are also examining other potential causes, such as a bird strike leading to mechanical failure. Investigators are also probing whether technical faults, maintenance lapses, or external elements contributed to the disaster.

This tragedy ranks among South Korea’s deadliest aviation accidents, surpassing the 1997 Korean Airlines crash in Guam, which claimed 228 lives. As the investigation progresses, the nation mourns the loss of 85 lives, with many unanswered questions surrounding the devastating event.

Agency