Fiery Jet Crash In South Korea Claims 179 Lives: What All We Know | Mobility Information
Seoul (South Korea): A passenger jet burst into flames whereas touchdown at an airport in South Korea on Sunday, killing 179 individuals in one of many deadliest air disasters in that nation’s historical past. There have been solely two survivors, officers stated. Video confirmed the aircraft skidding throughout the airstrip, overrunning the runway and crashing right into a barrier on the airport about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul on Sunday. Its entrance touchdown gear apparently was not deployed. Listed below are some issues to learn about crash:
What preceded the lethal hearth?
The pilot despatched out a misery sign shortly earlier than the aircraft overshot the tip of the runway, officers stated. Footage aired by South Korean tv channels confirmed the aircraft skidding — and apparently with out its touchdown gear deployed. The jet overran the runway and hit a barrier, trigging a fiery explosion. Footage confirmed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the aircraft, which was engulfed in flames.
The 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet was arriving from Bangkok when the crash occurred at 9:03 a.m. Sunday within the city of Muan. Staff have retrieved the flight information and cockpit voice recorders of the aircraft’s black field, which will likely be examined by authorities specialists investigating the reason for the crash and hearth, Senior Transport Ministry official Joo Jong-wan stated.
What will we learn about casualities?
The jet operated by Jeju Air had 181 passengers and crew. Of these, a complete of 179 individuals perished within the crash and ensuing hearth; solely two crew members survived, officers stated. Relations wailed as officers introduced the names of some victims at a lounge within the Muan airport.
Kim E-bae, Jeju Air’s president, bowed deeply with different senior firm officers as he apologized to bereaved households and stated he feels “full duty” for the incident. Boeing additionally prolonged condolences and stated in an announcement on X that it is able to assist the corporate in coping with the crash. The federal government declared Muan a particular catastrophe zone.
What about experiences of a hen strike?
It’ll take months to find out the trigger. However there are some attainable clues. Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan hearth station, stated staff have been wanting into numerous prospects about what brought on the crash, together with whether or not the plane was struck by birds.
Transport Ministry officers stated the airport management tower issued a hen strike warning to the aircraft shortly earlier than it supposed to land and gave its pilot permission to land in a special space. The aircraft was destroyed with the tail meeting being the one recognizable half among the many wreckage, the hearth chief instructed a televised briefing.
What’s the response from all over the world?
The incident got here as South Korea is embroiled in a political disaster triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s gorgeous imposition of martial regulation and ensuing impeachment. Final Friday, South Korean lawmakers impeached performing President Han Duck-soo, main Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to take over.
Choi, who traveled to the crash web site, known as for officers to make use of all out there assets to seek out the lacking and determine the victims as quickly as attainable. The federal government designated a weeklong nationwide mourning interval by Saturday.
Yoon’s workplace stated his chief secretary, Chung Jin-suk, presided over an emergency assembly between senior presidential employees to debate the crash and reported the small print to Choi. Yoon additionally expressed condolences to the victims.
World leaders expressed their sympathies as South Korea handled the tragedy. Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed deep condolences to the households and ordered the nation’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs to supply help instantly.
Pope Francis supplied condolences from St. Peter’s Sq.. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated he was “deeply saddened by the lack of many valuable lives.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy additionally prolonged condolences.
