A tragic plane crash occurred at Muan International Airport in South Korea, involving Jeju Air’s Flight 2216. The crash resulted in 179 fatalities, and two survivors were rescued. The incident took place on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Incident Details
- Time and Location of the Crash:
Jeju Air Flight 2216, coming from Bangkok, crashed during landing at 9:03 am, with the plane being almost completely destroyed. - Number of Passengers and Crew:
The aircraft had 175 passengers and six crew members on board. Of the 179 fatalities, 65 have been identified so far. - Local Authorities’ Statement:
A fire official mentioned that the passengers were ejected upon impact with a wall, leaving little chance of survival.
Likely Causes of the Crash
- Bird Strike and Weather Conditions:
Authorities have cited a possible bird strike and adverse weather conditions as the main causes. The aircraft had issued a Mayday call shortly before the crash. - Runway Length:
Officials noted that the runway length was 2,800 meters, which has been sufficient for similar-sized aircraft, making it unlikely that the runway length was a factor in the crash.
Government and International Reactions
- National Mourning:
South Korea’s Acting President, Choi Sang-mok, declared a national mourning period until January 4, 2025. - Pakistan’s Condolences:
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep condolences to the people and government of South Korea.
International Support
Boeing has reached out to Jeju Air and offered full support in the investigation and recovery efforts.
