South Korea Plane Crash: Acting President Orders Airline System Inspection Following Tragic Disaster

South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of the nation's airline operations after a tragic plane crash on December 29, 2024, claimed 179 lives. The seven-day national mourning period was declared as the country grapples with one of its worst aviation disasters.

Incident Overview

A Jeju Air passenger plane, a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800, burst into flames after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport. The crash occurred at 9:03 a.m. when the aircraft’s front landing gear failed to deploy, causing it to slam into a concrete fence. The plane, carrying 181 people, had arrived from Bangkok, Thailand.

Emergency responders extinguished the fire and rescued two individuals—a passenger and a crew member. Tragically, 179 fatalities have been confirmed, including two Thai nationals, according to Thailand's Foreign Ministry.

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

Authorities deployed significant resources to manage the disaster:

• Firefighting Units: 32 fire trucks and multiple helicopters worked to contain the blaze.

• Personnel: Around 1,570 firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and officials participated in rescue operations.

• Black Boxes: Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were recovered, aiding the investigation.

Of the 177 bodies retrieved, 88 have been identified so far. The majority of passengers were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals confirmed among the victims.

Government Response

In response to the disaster, acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the need for an exhaustive review of airline safety systems. Recovery efforts remain the priority, but a nationwide safety inspection will follow.

Historical Context

This is one of the deadliest aviation accidents in South Korea's history. The last large-scale disaster occurred in 1997, when a Korean Airlines plane crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.

The government and officials continue to coordinate recovery operations, ensuring transparency and accountability as investigations progress.

 

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