At least 62 are dead after a plane carrying 181 people crashed off a runway and smashed into a wall at a South Korean airport. The Jeju Air flight was returning from Bangkok when the horror unfolded at Muan International Airport in South Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported. Horror footage showed the moment the aircraft slid along the runway, before ploughing into concrete and erupting into a ball of flames.
Authorities have now confirmed at least 47 have been killed but say this number likely to rise, with the majority being found in the tail of the plane. They added just three survivors have been pulled from the wreckage so far – including one flight attendant and one passenger. Most of the passengers are Korean, except for two Thai nationals.
Lee Hyeon-ji, a response team officer at the local fire department, said the death toll would likely continue to rise “due to the critically injured”.
The horror crash is believed to have been caused by ‘contact with birds, resulting in malfunctioning landing gear’ as the plane attempted to land at the airport in the country’s southwest. The flight had reportedly attempted one landing before being forced to turn around and tried to land again when the landing gear failed to lower normally.
Footage has emerged of the moment the plane attempts to land – and appears to have an issue with its landing gear. The aircraft appears to slide along the runway, but it fails to slow down. It then slams into the wall at the end of the runway and erupts into a ball of flames. Frantic emergency services then rush to the scene.
According to Flightradar data, the plane was a Boeing 737-800 departed from Bangkok at 2.29am local time and was due to arrive at 8.30 but landed at 8.59am.
Haunting snaps taken from the scene shows a huge plume of smoke as scores firefighters with 32 trucks were tackling the blaze. The wreckage left behind after the plane carrying 175 passengers crashed in South Korea.
Firefighters have now put the fire out and search and rescue operations are now under way at the site. An on-site investigation has now been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash. Acting President Choi Sang-mok called for the mobilisation of all resources to save the passengers.
Conclusion:
The South Korea plane crash has left a trail of devastation and heartbreak, with at least 62 people killed and many more injured. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, but it is clear that something went terribly wrong. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.
FAQs:
* How many people were on board the plane?
+ 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members
* How many people have been killed in the crash?
+ At least 62 people have been killed, with the number likely to rise
* What is the cause of the crash?
+ The exact cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed to have been caused by contact with birds resulting in malfunctioning landing gear
* How many survivors have been pulled from the wreckage?
+ Three survivors have been pulled from the wreckage so far, including one flight attendant and one passenger
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