The incident has been referred to as the deadliest domestic aviation disaster in South Korea’s history.
Warning: This article contains graphic images, videos, and descriptions that may be distressing to some readers.
A passenger aboard the flight that crashed in South Korea sent a heartbreaking message just moments before the tragic accident.
It has been confirmed that 179 out of the 181 people on board Jeju Air Flight 2216 have been declared dead, making it South Korea’s deadliest domestic aviation disaster to date.
The 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet crash-landed at Muan International Airport, located about 180 miles south of Seoul, at approximately 9:03 AM local time on Sunday, December 29.
While the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, it is reported that the plane’s front landing gear failed to deploy, forcing the pilot to attempt a crash landing.
Footage from the airport showed the plane skidding across the runway without its landing gear extended before it collided with a wall and burst into flames.
Joo Jong-wan, Director of the Aviation Policy Division at South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, told NBC News that the pilot “declared mayday after issuing the bird strike alert.”
It is also reported that the pilot was cleared to land from the opposite direction.
Tragically, all 175 passengers aboard the plane, along with four crew members, lost their lives in the crash. Two flight attendants survived the incident and are currently in the hospital receiving treatment for their injuries. Both are reported to be conscious.
“I woke up and was rescued,” said Lee, one of the survivors, according to the director of Seoul National University Hospital, where he is being treated.
Local media in South Korea also reported that one passenger sent a text to a family member claiming that a bird had become “stuck in the wing,” which was allegedly preventing the plane from landing. The passenger reportedly wrote, “Should I leave my last words?” and after that message, the family member said they did not hear from the passenger again.
Devastated family members have begun to speak out following the tragic crash. Maeng Gi-su’s nephew and his two sons were aboard the flight, returning from a holiday after celebrating the youngest son’s completion of his college entrance exams.
The 78-year-old relative of one of the victims told the BBC, “I can’t believe the entire family has just disappeared. My heart aches so much.”
A cousin of another passenger onboard the flight shared with the BBC that she was filled with “goosebumps” upon hearing of the crash. “I couldn’t believe it… when the news said one of the victims was from Udon Thani, I was even more surprised,” she said.
In response to the tragedy, the South Korean government has declared a seven-day national mourning period.
Jeju Air has placed a black banner at the top of its website, stating: “We deeply apologize to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation.”
“We sincerely regret the distress caused,” Jeju Air added in their statement.
