South Korea is in deep sorrow after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of 179 people, marking the deadliest aviation disaster on its soil. The tragic incident unfolded when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers from Thailand to South Korea, crash-landed and burst into flames on Sunday.
The flight, which was supposed to be a routine journey, turned into a nightmare as the aircraft skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport, approximately 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as the plane landed on its belly, smoke billowing from its engines before it collided with a wall and exploded into flames. 🔥
Miraculously, two flight attendants survived the crash. One, a 33-year-old man, regained consciousness in the hospital and shared, \"When I woke up, I had already been rescued.\" He suffered multiple fractures, while the other survivor, a 25-year-old woman, sustained injuries to her ankle and head.
Authorities suspect a bird strike may have caused the crash, leaving the plane \"almost completely destroyed,\" according to fire officials. Both black boxes—the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—have been recovered, which will be crucial in unraveling the mystery behind the tragedy.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board announced it would lead a team of investigators, including experts from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Authority, to collaborate with South Korean officials. The global community watches closely as the investigation unfolds, hoping for answers and measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
Families of the victims are undergoing the painful process of identification, and the nation grieves collectively. 💐 The outpouring of support from around the world brings a glimmer of solace in this dark time.
As South Korea mourns, this tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety in air travel. Let's hold the victims and their loved ones in our thoughts. 🙏
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South Korea grieves after 179 die in its deadliest plane crash
cgtn.com
