At least 62 people lost their lives when an airliner veered off the runway and crashed into a wall at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, erupting into flames, according to the national fire agency. Two individuals were rescued, while search and recovery efforts continue.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land around 9 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). The South Korean transport ministry confirmed the crash but did not immediately verify casualty figures.
So far, 58 bodies have been recovered, although officials caution that the number is not final. A Muan fire official noted rescue operations were focused on the aircraft’s tail section. Yonhap News Agency reported three people had been pulled from the wreckage alive.
Footage from local media showed the Boeing 737-800 skidding along the runway without apparent landing gear before colliding with a wall in a fiery explosion. Photos captured the plane engulfed in smoke and flames.
Preliminary investigations suggest the landing gear might have failed due to a possible bird strike, airport authorities told Yonhap. A passenger had reportedly texted a relative about a bird being stuck in the wing, ending the message with, “Should I say my last words?”
The crash is under investigation, with bird strike and other potential causes being explored, according to the transport ministry. The passengers included two Thai nationals, while the rest are believed to be South Korean.
Jeju Air confirmed the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 and said it was working to gather details about the incident, including its cause and the status of those on board. Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration have not yet commented.
All flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended, Yonhap reported.
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has ordered an all-out rescue effort and convened an emergency response meeting to address the crisis.
