A catastrophic plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport on Sunday morning has left 179 of the 181 passengers and crew presumed dead after a Jeju Air flight veered off the runway and collided with a concrete barrier.
Authorities reported that only two people were pulled from the wreckage alive, both suffering severe injuries.
Video footage captured the Boeing 737-800 skidding uncontrollably down the runway before slamming into the barrier and erupting in flames.
The force of the impact scattered debris across the tarmac, with thick black smoke rising into the sky.
The plane, en route from Bangkok, experienced a reported bird strike and harsh weather during its landing, which reportedly caused a landing gear failure, sending the aircraft off course.
Emergency responders cited these factors as likely contributors to the disaster, though a formal investigation is ongoing.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through South Korea, marking what may become the nation’s deadliest aviation accident in decades.
Jeju Air, a prominent budget airline, issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and vowing to fully cooperate with authorities while addressing the aftermath of the incident.
The airline confirmed the aircraft was 15 years old with no prior safety issues.
Among the passengers were mostly South Korean nationals, along with two Thai citizens.