Seoul: A devastating plane crash in Muan, South Korea, claimed the lives of 179 people, including passengers and pilots, on Sunday. The incident involved a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air Co., South Korea's largest airline. The plane caught fire and was completely destroyed during an emergency landing attempt. Only two crew members from the rear section survived but sustained severe burns.

Details of the Incident

The flight, which departed from Bangkok, Thailand, early Sunday morning, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members. As the aircraft attempted to land at Muan International Airport around 9 a.m. Indian Standard Time, its landing gear reportedly malfunctioned. The plane aborted the initial landing and circled the airport before making an emergency landing with its underside scraping the ground.

Tragically, the plane skidded off the runway and collided with a wall at high speed, causing a massive fire. Firefighters extinguished the blaze after 43 minutes, but the devastation left 179 dead. The two survivors were rescued from the rear section of the plane and are currently receiving treatment for severe burns.

Preliminary Investigations

South Korean aviation authorities suspect a bird strike during landing might have caused the landing gear failure. However, some reports suggest the engine may have caught fire during the landing attempt. A special investigation team has recovered the plane’s black boxes to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Rescue Operations

The rescue mission involved 1,560 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and soldiers, along with 32 fire engines. Despite their efforts, the intensity of the fire left the majority of the victims charred beyond recognition. Among the deceased, two were from Thailand, while the rest were South Korean nationals. A significant number of the passengers were tourists visiting the Muan area.

Compensation and Statements

Jeju Airlines has announced that the plane was insured and estimates a loss of $1 billion (approximately ₹8,500 crore). The company’s chairman, Kim E-bae, promised to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims. “We are committed to offering all necessary support to those affected by this tragedy,” he stated.

Global Condolences

The Indian Ambassador to South Korea, Amit Kumar, expressed his condolences in a social media post: “It is deeply saddening to learn of the loss of so many lives in the plane crash. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families.” Leaders from several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, also offered their condolences.

Safety Concerns Raised

Aviation experts have highlighted potential safety lapses as contributing factors in the disaster. Geoffrey Thomas, an aviation analyst, emphasized the importance of spraying foam on the runway during belly landings and ensuring fire trucks are on standby. He also questioned the placement of the perimeter wall, which amplified the crash’s impact. Geoffrey Dell, another expert, expressed skepticism about a bird strike causing the landing gear to fail. Trevor Jensen pointed out the apparent lack of efforts to slow down the plane post-landing as a critical oversight.

As the investigation continues, authorities are under pressure to address these safety concerns to prevent future tragedies of this magnitude.