By Mark Ogagan
At least 127 people were killed when an airliner belly-landed and veered off the runway on Sunday morning local time, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, the Korean national fire agency said.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted to land without its landing gear, skidding down the runway and crashing into a wall, causing a fireball.
The crash, which took place shortly after 9am local time, is the deadliest air accident involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades.
The aircraft, which had 181 people on board, was destroyed in the crash. Only the tail section remained partially intact. Two crew members were rescued from the tail and are being treated for injuries.
Authorities have switched to recovery operations, searching nearby areas for bodies that may have been thrown from the plane.
The passengers included two Thai nationals, and most of the remaining passengers were South Koreans.
Investigators are looking into bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors.
The control tower had issued a bird strike warning shortly before the crash, and pilots declared a mayday.
One passenger reportedly sent a final message saying, “Should I say my last words?”
Jeju Air’s CEO Kim E-bae expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation with investigators. Boeing also extended its condolences and is in contact with the airline.
South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the crash site and assured the public that all resources would be used to respond to the disaster.
All flights at Muan International Airport were cancelled after the crash.
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