South Korea is in mourning following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air plane that claimed almost all of its passengers' lives. On Sunday, December 29, 2024, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air, which was traveling from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. As a result of this fatal accident, 179 out of the total 181 passengers were confirmed dead. The 179 victims included 175 passengers and 4 crew members.
Chronology of the Jeju Air Plane Crash at Muan International Airport
The devastating tragedy occurred when the Jeju Air flight carrying 181 passengers was attempting to land at Muan International Airport after departing from Bangkok, Thailand. Before the crash, air traffic controllers (ATC) warned of a flock of birds heading toward the plane, prompting the pilot to turn back and delay the landing. Shortly after, the pilot sent out a mayday signal, and the ATC granted permission for the plane to land from the opposite direction.
In a video circulating on social media, the plane can be seen attempting to land without landing gear, with smoke billowing from the right wing. The aircraft then skidded across the runway before crashing into a barrier wall and exploding. The explosion was intense, severely damaging most of the aircraft, leaving only the tail section intact.
Deemed the Deadliest Plane Crash in South Korea in Nearly 30 Years
The police officially confirmed that 179 people were killed in the Jeju Air crash, including 175 passengers and 4 crew members. The two survivors were a flight attendant and a flight attendant seated in the rear section of the aircraft. Given the massive loss of life and the severity of the damage, this incident has been classified as the deadliest airline disaster in South Korea in almost 30 years. The last major fatal crash involving a South Korean airline occurred in 1997, when a Korean Air plane crashed in Guam, resulting in 228 fatalities out of 254 passengers.
7-Day Mourning Period
Following the Jeju Air plane crash, the acting president of South Korea, Choi Sang Mok, declared a national mourning period lasting for 7 days, from Monday, December 30, 2024, to midnight on Saturday, January 4, 2025. During this period, temporary memorials will be set up at the crash site and in 17 cities and provinces, including South Jeolla, Gwangju, Seoul, and Sejong. Flags will fly at half-mast in all ministries, local governments, and public institutions, while public officials will wear mourning ribbons as a mark of respect.
The South Korean entertainment industry also joined in mourning, with many music events and year-end festivals being canceled and replaced with special coverage of the plane crash. Furthermore, two black boxes from the Jeju Air plane have been recovered, though the flight data recorder (FDR) is damaged. The damage to the FDR is expected to slow down the investigation into the exact cause of the crash. However, it is hoped that the ongoing investigation will soon provide answers and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
