MUAN COUNTY, South Korea. December 30, 2024 – South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an urgent inspection of the country’s airline safety systems following the worst air disaster in the nation’s history. A Jeju Air flight, carrying 175 passengers and six crew, crashed at Muan International Airport on Sunday, killing 179 people and leaving two survivors.
The Jeju Air flight 7C2216, which originated in Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land shortly after 9 a.m. local time. The plane belly-landed, skidded off the runway, and erupted into a fireball as it collided with a wall. The two surviving crew members were rescued from the wreckage and are receiving treatment.
In a disaster management meeting held in Seoul, Choi emphasized the importance of victim identification and family support. “Even before the final results are out, we ask that officials transparently disclose the accident investigation process and promptly inform the bereaved families,” he said.
Choi also instructed the Ministry of Transport to conduct an emergency safety inspection of the nation’s entire airline operation system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities are currently investigating potential causes of the crash, including bird strikes and adverse weather conditions. Experts are also examining why the plane’s landing gear did not appear to be deployed and why the aircraft seemed to be traveling at high speed during the landing.
The flight data recorder (black box) has been recovered, though it shows signs of external damage. Officials are working to determine if the data is intact and usable.
The crash claimed the lives of predominantly South Korean nationals returning from holidays in Thailand, along with two Thai passengers. Grieving families gathered at Muan International Airport, awaiting updates as investigators continued to identify the remaining victims.
Park Han-shin, who lost his brother in the tragedy, expressed frustration with the slow recovery and identification process. “We need to stand together as victims’ families, just like during the 2014 ferry sinking,” he said, referencing the prolonged recovery efforts of the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed over 300 lives.
Jeju Air, South Korea’s leading budget carrier, saw its stock price plummet by 15.7% on Monday, marking a record low for the company.
In line with international aviation protocols, South Korea is leading the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The NTSB has dispatched a team to aid South Korea’s aviation authorities.
Muan International Airport remains closed until Wednesday as emergency workers continue recovery operations. Other airports across the country, including Incheon International Airport, are operating as scheduled.
This tragic accident occurs against the backdrop of political turbulence in South Korea, with Acting President Choi assuming leadership just days ago following the impeachment of both the president and prime minister.
As the nation mourns this devastating loss, officials are committed to uncovering the truth behind the crash and ensuring air travel safety in the future.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
