South Korea plane crash: What led to the tragic Jeju Air disaster at Muan Airport?

At least 85 people were killed when an airliner veered off the runway and exploded into a fireball upon crashing into a wall at South Korea's Muan International Airport on Sunday, according to the national fire agency. Two people, believed to be crew members, were rescued, the agency reported.

Also Read: South Korea news LIVE: Plane crash at Muan Airport kills 62, flights cancelled – know latest updates here

The crash occurred as Jeju Air flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew on a flight from the Thai capital Bangkok, was landing shortly after 9 a.m. (0000 GMT) at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea's transport ministry said, as reported by Reuters.

South Korea plane crash reason 

Reuters reported citing emergency officials in Muan said that they were examining the cause of the fire. They said the plane's landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned. The transport ministry said the plane was returning from Bangkok, and its passengers include two Thai nationals.

The crash is thought to have been caused by "contact with birds, leading to malfunctioning landing gear" as the plane attempted to land at the airport in southwestern South Korea, Yonhap reported.

"The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation," Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station, said during a briefing.

Also Read: South Korea Plane Crash: Landing gone wrong as Jeju Air Flight 2216 turns into fireball after hitting fence| Watch video

The incident came as South Korea is embroiled in a huge political crisis triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning imposition of martial law and ensuing impeachment. Last Friday, South Korean lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo and suspended his duties, making Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to take over.

According to Yonhap news agency, Choi ordered officials to employ all available resources to rescue the passengers and crew. Yoon’s office said his chief secretary, Chung Jin-suk, will preside over an emergency meeting between senior presidential staff later on Sunday to discuss the crash.

"All domestic and international flights at Muan airport were canceled, according to Yonhap.

Also Read: South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster: 62 killed in Jeju plane crash landing – What we know

South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, who was appointed interim leader following the impeachment of the previous acting president amid an ongoing political crisis, ordered a full-scale rescue operation, his office said.

Choi's chief of staff convened an emergency meeting to address the situation."

Low-cost carrier Jeju Air issued an apology on Sunday and pledged to do everything possible to assist following the crash of its plane, as reported by AFP. The airline expressed its sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “We at Jeju Air will do everything in our power in response to this accident. We sincerely apologize for causing concern,” in a statement posted on its social media channels.

(With inputs from agencies)