A horrific plane crash in South Korea on Sunday claimed the lives of 179 people. Jeju Air’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 181 people, slid off the runway and collided with a fence due to a landing gear malfunction. One hundred seventy-nine people died in this accident, while only two people survived.
How did the accident happen?
According to local media, the accident occurred when Jeju Air flight 2216 landed at Muan International Airport in the country’s southwest. The plane was returning to South Korea from Bangkok.
Landing gear malfunction
A video posted on social media shows the plane sliding off the runway and bursting into flames. According to local media, officials believe the aircraft collided with a flock of birds, causing its landing gear to malfunction.
⚡️DRAMATIC moment South Korean plane with reported 180+ passengers becomes a fireball and crashes at airport CAUGHT on cam pic.twitter.com/VdrdavEXgT
— RT (@RT_com) December 29, 2024
The plane broke into pieces.
The Korea Herald quoted officials saying the plane crashed while trying to land for the second time. After circling the airport, an emergency belly landing was attempted without fully extending the landing gear. The plane then broke into pieces. A thick cloud of smoke began to rise from the crash site. So far, one passenger and one crew member have been rescued.
How many people were on board the plane?
The plane had 175 passengers and six crew members. Of these, One hundred seventy-three were citizens of South Korea, and two others had Thai passports. A video of the accident had surfaced, in which the plane could be seen sliding off the runway and colliding with a fence at the front. After the collision, there is a tremendous explosion, and the planet breaks into pieces. The plane catches fire immediately after the crash.
