South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Passenger's 'we can't land' text surfaces as fatal accident kills 176 onboard Boeing jet
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: A passenger plane burst into flames on Sunday after it skidded off a runway and slammed into a concrete fence — killing most of the 181 people on board. The Boeing jet had attempted a belly landing after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy.
A passenger plane burst into flames on Sunday after skidding off the runway and hitting a concrete fence in South Korea. Only two of the 181 people on board were pulled to safety from the Jeju Air passenger plane. The Boeing jet had attempted a belly landing after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy.
Transport Ministry officials later said their early assessment of communication records show the airport control tower issued a bird strike warning to the plane shortly before it intended to land and gave its pilot permission to land in a different area. The pilot reportedly sent out a distress signal shortly before the plane went past the runway and skidded across a buffer zone before hitting the wall.
The crash took place in Muan — about 290 kilometres south of Seoul — at 9:03 am while the 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok.
Footage aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, apparently with its landing gear still closed, overrunning the runway and colliding head-on with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the facility, triggering an explosion.
Catch live updates with Mint
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Death toll rises to 179, two crew members rescued
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: A total of 179 people — 85 women, 84 men and 10 others whose genders weren't immediately identifiable — died in the fire. Emergency workers pulled two people, both crew members, to safety. Health officials said they are conscious and not in life-threatening condition.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Investigators secure flight data amid rescue efforts
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Investigators are currently examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors for the malfunction. The flight data recorder was found at 11:30 am — about two and a half hours after the crash. The cockpit voice recorder was found at 2:24 pm.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Seven-day national mourning declared
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared a national mourning period until January 4 following an emergency meeting on Sunday evening.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Hundreds of emergency personnel join recovery effort
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: More than 1,570 personnel from the military, police and government were deployed for rescue and recovery efforts in Muan.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Death toll rises by one to 177
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: The death toll rose by one on Sunday afternoon as the Korean fire service continued their rescue efforts. Only two of the 181 people on board now remain unaccounted for. There have been two survivors so far — crew members who were pulled from the tail of the aircraft.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Boeing releases officials statement
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Boeing released an official statement on Sunday afternoon following a horrifying accident in the Muan area. The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 was seen in local media video skidding down the runway with no visible landing gear before crashing into the wall in an explosion of flames and debris.
“We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and out thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,” the company wrote.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: Passenger's heartbreaking final message to family surfaces
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: A Jeju Air passenger reached out to a waiting family member around 9:00 am on Sunday — mere moments before the fatal crash.
“Should I say my last words? A bird struck the wing and we can’t land…Should I make a will?" a report by The Korea Times cited the flying as asking via KakaoTalk.
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: At least 176 killed, two crew members rescued
South Korea Plane Crash LIVE: The National Fire Agency said at least 176 people had died in the fire. Emergency workers pulled two people, both crew members, to safety. Health officials said they are conscious and not in life-threatening condition.
- Top Gainers
- Top Losers
- 52 Week High