A Jeju Air flight skidded off a runway in South Korea and collided with a concrete fence, killing a minimum of 176 individuals, the Associated Press reported, citing the nation’s National Fire Agency (NFA).
The Yonhap News Agency attributed the devastating crash, one of many worst within the nation’s historical past, to malfunctioning touchdown gear.
Jeju Air, a low-cost airline in South Korea, was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members within the Boeing 737-800 when the incident occurred Sunday morning native time at Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, roughly 180 miles south of Seoul.
At least 176 individuals — 83 girls, 82 males and 11 others whose genders weren’t instantly identifiable — died within the hearth, the hearth company stated.
Firefighters perform extinguishing operations on an plane which drove off runaway at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on Dec. 29. (Yonhap by way of Reuters)
Firefighters perform extinguishing operations on an plane which drove off runaway at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on Dec. 29. (Yonhap by way of Reuters)
According to the NFA, emergency staff rescued two individuals, each crew members who have been acutely aware. Three individuals remained lacking about 9 hours after the incident.
The airplane landed at 9:07 a.m. native time on the airport when the incident occurred.
According to the Associated Press, the passenger airplane slammed right into a concrete fence on the runway after its entrance touchdown gear didn’t deploy.
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The airplane was flying again to South Korea from Thailand, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
Photos shared by native media confirmed smoke billowing out of the airplane.
A senior Transport Ministry official stated that the flight knowledge recorder from the airplane’s black field was retrieved and that crews have been nonetheless looking for the cockpit voice recording gadget, in keeping with the AP.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
