A catastrophic plane crash at Muan International Airport has left 179 dead in South Korea’s worst aviation tragedy since 1993. Only two crew members survived after Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok skidded off the runway during a landing attempt, breaking apart and erupting into flames. 🔥
The flight, carrying 175 passengers (173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals) and six crew, reportedly attempted a belly landing after a suspected bird strike damaged its landing gear. Fire authorities confirmed the death toll at 8:38 PM local time Sunday, with rescue teams battling intense flames to recover victims.
\"This is a national tragedy that will leave scars for generations,\" said one emergency responder at the scene, 290 km southwest of Seoul. The aircraft’s rear section – where the survivors were found – remained partially intact despite the fuselage splitting in half.
Aviation experts are investigating how a routine landing turned deadly, with early reports suggesting multiple system failures during the fateful second landing attempt. The disaster surpasses South Korea’s 1993 crash that killed 66 people, raising urgent questions about aviation safety protocols. 🛩️⚡
