Seoul: The devastating plane crash in South Korea on Sunday has raised urgent questions about its cause after the Jeju Air passenger plane exploded following a runway skid at Muan Airport, leaving at least 85 people dead.
Footage of the crash aired by YTN television showed the plane skidding across the airstrip with its landing gear still closed, before colliding head-on with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the airport. Other local TV stations aired dramatic footage of thick black smoke billowing from the plane, which was soon engulfed in flames.
Also Read
Landing gear malfunction suspected
Emergency officials in Muan reported that the plane’s landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned, a possible factor leading to the tragic accident. The plane, returning from Bangkok, was carrying 181 people, including two Thai nationals. It crashed around 9:03 am local time, with 85 fatalities confirmed so far, including 46 women and 39 men. Rescue teams quickly responded, deploying 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to battle the blaze and save survivors. Remarkably, two crew members were pulled from the wreckage alive, though seriously injured.
Investigation underway
The South Korean Ministry of Transportation has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. While the malfunctioning landing gear is suspected to be a key factor, authorities are also considering other possibilities, including whether a bird strike may have caused the mechanical failure. Investigators are working to understand whether technical issues, maintenance lapses, or external factors contributed to the disaster.
This crash marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in South Korea’s history. The nation has not experienced a disaster of this scale since the 1997 Korean Airlines crash in Guam, which killed 228 people. As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion, South Korea mourns the tragic loss of 85 lives, with many unanswered questions still lingering about what led to this horrific incident.
With Agency inputs
Published: 29 Dec 2024, 10:49 am IST
Related Topics
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.