A Boeing 737-800 plane operated by Jeju Air crashed at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, killing at least 28 people on board. A harrowing video shows the moment a twin-engine plane skidded off the runway and crashed into a wall. The plane immediately burst into flames.
Within a few seconds, terrible black smoke started rising into the sky. The visuals also showed flames engulfing parts of the plane.
In the video, it appears that the aircraft attempted a ‘belly landing’ (without fully extending its landing gear) just seconds before the crash.
Dramatic moment South Korean plane carrying over 180 passengers bursts into flames and crashes at airport, caught on camera pic.twitter.com/VdrdavEXgT
– RT (@RT_com) 29 December 2024
There were 181 passengers on board the aircraft, including six crew members. Local media reported that so far two people, a passenger and a flight attendant, have been found alive.
“We have so far confirmed 29 deaths from the accident… but this number may increase due to serious injuries,” a local fire department official told AFP news agency.
Rescue operations are underway and officials are trying to rescue passengers from the rear of the jet. Emergency services at the airport began around 9 am after the plane crashed. At least 32 fire engines and a large number of firefighters have been deployed at the accident site.
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According to online flight tracking website FlightRadar24, the plane was en route from Bangkok to Mueang.
Yonhap news agency is reporting that the Jeju Air 737 ran off the runway after landing in Muan. This appears to be #7c2216 Operated by 737-800 from Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/LCIUktDbHN
– flightradar24 (@flightradar24) 29 December 2024
Acting President of South Korea Choi Sang-mok ordered all possible rescue efforts. “All concerned agencies should mobilize all available resources to rescue the personnel,” he directed officials in a statement.
His Chief of Staff also called an emergency meeting on this incident.
The accident is believed to have been caused by bird contact, resulting in landing gear failure.
