South Korea plane crash: all except two are presumed dead on Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people, say authorities – live updates | South Korea

Raphael Rashid

Jeju Air has updated the message on the landing page of its website:

Jeju Air deeply bows in apology to all those affected by the Muan Airport accident. Our first priority is to do everything possible to manage this incident. We sincerely apologise for causing concern.

179 passengers and crew presumed dead, with two rescued

Raphael Rashid

Fire authorities say that among the 181 people aboard the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, all but two are presumed dead after the aircraft crashed during an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, according to Yonhap News.

Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage where more bodies remain inside the fuselage. Two survivors, one passenger and one crew member, were pulled from the tail section and are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

The Boeing 737-800 attempted a belly landing at around 9:03am local time after its landing gear reportedly failed to deploy.

Witnesses reported hearing loud “bang” noises before the aircraft struck the airport’s perimeter wall, breaking into two pieces and bursting into flames. Local broadcaster MBC aired footage that appears to show a bird strike incident as the plane was descending.

If the death toll is confirmed, this would be South Korea’s worst domestic civil aviation disaster and marks the first major casualty incident involving a low-cost carrier in the country’s history, reports the JoongAng Ilbo.

Previous major accidents on Korean soil include the 1993 Asiana Airlines crash in Mokpo that killed 68 people, and a 2002 Air China crash near Gimhae Airport that killed 129 of 166 passengers.

Raphael Rashid

South Korea’s land, infrastructure and transport ministry has issued a statement on social media site, X, which said (unofficial translation):

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is dedicating all efforts to managing the Jeju Air flight 2216 incident.

At approximately 09:03 on Sunday, 29 December, Jeju Air Flight 2216 (Bangkok-Muan) was involved in an accident during landing at Muan International Airport.

The Ministry has activated its Central Accident Management Headquarters (09:30) and is concentrating all efforts on managing the aircraft accident at Muan Airport.

The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers (including 2 Thai nationals) and 6 crew members. The exact number of casualties is currently being determined.

Investigators from the Aviation Accident Investigation Committee arrived (10:10) and are currently investigating the cause. Safety operation directives have been issued to all airlines and airports.

The Ministry’s Central Accident Management Headquarters remains operational and plans to respond with full organisational capacity to minimise loss of life.

Transport Minister Park Sang-woo has urged all parties to do their utmost in rescue operations and accident management.

Raphael Rashid

Jeju Air has switched its website to a minimalist, black background layout in response to the crash.

In its official notice, the airline confirmed flight 7C2216 from Bangkok to Muan was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members when it collided with structures at the end of the runway.

The company says it has “activated company-wide emergency protocols” and established a dedicated team to support bereaved families.

The website provides emergency contact numbers and states: “Jeju Air will do everything possible regarding this accident. We deeply apologise for causing concern”.

Death toll rises to 62 according to authorities

Raphael Rashid

Fire authorities have identified 62 deaths from the Muan airport crash, according to Yonhap news agency and News1, with officials warning the death toll could rise as bodies remain inside the aircraft’s fuselage.

Two survivors, one passenger and one crew member, have reportedly been rescued and are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

The crash occurred when the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, carrying 181 passengers and crew, attempted an emergency landing at around 9:03 am local time after reporting problems with its landing gear. Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage.

47 believed dead, say South Korean fire authorities

Raphael Rashid

Fire authorities have identified 47 deaths from the Muan airport crash as of 11:40am local time, according to Newsis and Yonhap news agency, with officials warning the death toll could rise as bodies remain inside the aircraft’s fuselage.

Two survivors, one passenger and one crew member, have reportedly been rescued and are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

The crash occurred when the Jeju Air flight from Bangkok, carrying 181 passengers and crew, attempted an emergency landing at around 9:03 am local time after reporting problems with its landing gear. Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage.

Raphael Rashid

The Muan-Bangkok route was part of the airport’s first international services in 17 years, launched just three weeks ago on 8 December.

The expansion was part of a broader revival that would see the regional airport operate routes to 18 international destinations across nine countries this winter season, according to Yonhap News.

Raphael Rashid

According to Newsis, witnesses reported hearing loud “bang” sounds during the failed landing attempts, with the aircraft’s landing gear reportedly failing to deploy properly. The plane then veered off the runway and struck the airport’s perimeter wall, breaking into two pieces at the front and tail sections and bursting into flames. Emergency services have set up a temporary morgue at the site.

Raphael Rashid

Yonhap News reports that three people have been rescued so far, with the search underway for additional casualties, while News1 reports that among those rescued are one passenger and one crew member.

Local authorities say they are coordinating with major hospitals in Gwangju to handle potential casualties.

Raphael Rashid

The crash presents the first major test for the acting president, Choi Sang-mok, who assumed office on Friday after South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach the previous acting president, Han Duck-soo.

Han had been serving as interim leader following the impeachment of then president Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month over his controversial martial law declaration. The short-lived declaration has roiled the country, with mass protests on Saturday calling for Yoon’s removal.