The plane made a violent landing before hitting a wall and catching fire. Two survivors, members of the crew, were taken care of by the emergency services.
Published on 29/12/2024 07:05
Reading time: 2min
A new drama in aviation. At least 96 people died and dozens of others are missing after the accident of a plane landing at Muan airport (South Korea), Sunday, December 29, according to a provisional report communicated by the authorities . The number of passengers killed could be higher, because this Boeing 737-800 from the South Korean company Jeju Air was carrying 181 people. Two survivors have so far been treated, after the plane completely caught fire after a violent landing.
“So far, two survivors, 85 dead”local emergency services said in a statement. The survivors are part of the company's staff, specify the firefighters. In detail, the flight plan showed 175 passengers and six crew members, according to the South Korean agency Yonhap. Around 9 a.m. in Muan (1:48 a.m. in Paris), the plane landed on its belly and suffered “an exit from the track” before hitting a concrete wall at the airport, reports the press agency. “All the missing people are presumed dead, fire authorities said, adding that the rescue operation will become a search operation for the bodies”continues Yonhap.
According to authorities, this accident was probably due to a landing gear failure. “The cause of the accident is believed to be a collision with birds combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be announced following an investigation”said Lee Jeong-hyun, head of the Muan Fire Station, at a press briefing. Acting President Choi Sang-mok quickly visited the scene and offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the theft.
