𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟕𝟔 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟕𝟔 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

A devastating aviation disaster unfolded on December 28, 2024, when a Jeju Air passenger jet crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was returning from Bangkok when it veered off the runway shortly after 9 a.m. local time. The aircraft reportedly failed to deploy its landing gear, resulting in a catastrophic crash that has left at least 176 confirmed dead, marking it as the deadliest aviation incident in South Korea since 1997.

Eyewitness accounts describe the plane sliding on its belly at high speed before colliding with a concrete wall, erupting into flames upon impact. Rescue operations were swift, with emergency responders deploying over 1,500 personnel, including firefighters and police, to the scene. Despite their efforts, only two crew members were rescued from the wreckage, both of whom are currently hospitalized and recovering from their injuries.

The tragedy has raised urgent questions regarding the cause of the crash. Preliminary investigations suggest that the failure of the landing gear to deploy may have been exacerbated by a possible bird strike, as the airport's control tower had warned the pilots about birds in the vicinity prior to landing. The aircraft's black boxes have been recovered, and authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to this horrific event.

Among the victims were individuals from various backgrounds, including families returning from a holiday trip. The youngest victim was reported to be just three years old. As the nation mourns this profound loss, South Korea's acting president has announced a weeklong mourning period, reflecting the collective grief felt across the country.

This incident has not only shocked the families of the victims but has also reignited discussions about aviation safety standards in South Korea, a nation that has seen significant improvements in air travel safety over the past two decades. The government has pledged to conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.