SEOUL, South Korea, – A tragic plane crash in South Korea has left over 170 people dead, after a Jeju Air aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning.

The Boeing 737-800, en route from Bangkok, Thailand, was carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members. Tragically, 179 people lost their lives, while two flight attendants survived the crash.

A Devastating Incident

The plane, flight 7C2216, crashed after veering off the runway and colliding with a wall at the airport located in the country’s southwest. The plane was reportedly trying to land when it was alerted to a potential bird strike. A warning from air traffic control advised the crew to hold off on landing. Moments later, the pilot declared a Mayday, seeking permission for an emergency landing from the opposite direction.

Reports from passengers indicate that a bird became lodged in the plane’s wing, hampering the aircraft’s ability to land safely. Shortly after, the plane lost control, skidding down the runway before crashing into a wall, where it erupted in flames. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion followed by a series of smaller blasts, with videos showing large plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage.

Possible Causes Under Investigation

Authorities are focusing on several potential causes, including a bird strike and adverse weather conditions, though the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. Experts are analyzing the recovered flight and voice recorders in an effort to pinpoint the contributing factors. Fire officials indicated that the tail section of the plane was identifiable, but the rest of the fuselage was severely damaged.

A South Korean transport official confirmed that the pilot, with over 6,800 hours of flight experience, had been with Jeju Air since 2019. The airline’s management has ruled out any technical maintenance issues as a factor in the crash.

The Risk of Bird Strikes

A bird strike occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft, potentially causing significant damage, especially to the engines. Though bird strikes are relatively common in aviation, they can lead to catastrophic accidents when they cause engine failure or disrupt flight control systems. While such incidents often occur during takeoff or landing, aircraft are designed with safeguards to handle some bird encounters. Pilots are especially trained to remain vigilant during times when bird activity is high, such as during early mornings or dusk.

Casualties and Efforts to Identify the Victims

The crash marks the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea’s history, with 179 confirmed fatalities. The passengers were predominantly South Korean, with two Thai nationals on board. Among the dead were five children, with the youngest being only three years old. The survivors, two members of the flight crew, were found in the tail section of the aircraft and have been hospitalized.

Rescue efforts involved over 1,500 emergency personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and medical teams, who worked tirelessly to search the wreckage. The identities of some victims have been confirmed, but recovery efforts continue as authorities work to identify all those onboard.

Response and Support for Families

In the aftermath of the crash, South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared Muan a special disaster zone, making government assistance available to the families of victims and the local community. Authorities have set up tents at the airport to provide a space for grieving families, many of whom have arrived at the scene in hopes of receiving information about their loved ones.

Jeju Air, known as Korea’s leading budget airline, expressed deep condolences to the families and promised full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Despite the company’s strong safety record, this remains its first fatal crash since its founding in 2005.

The tragedy has left the nation in mourning, with flags at government buildings lowered in respect for the victims. South Korea has also declared seven days of national mourning as the country comes to terms with the loss of so many lives.