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(Current as of 2:58pm, BKK Time) South Korean authorities currently report that only two out of the 181 people aboard Jeju Air 7C2216 survived the crash at Muan International Airport earlier today, 29th December, though rescue operations are still underway as of press time.
The two known survivors, both crew members found in the rear of the fallen aircraft, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The aircraft which was flying in from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed during an emergency landing at the airport in the South Jeolla region.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members on the fatal flight.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that two of the passengers aboard the flight were Thai nationals. So far, however, there have been no updates regarding either passenger.
This is the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, a low-cost carrier that has been in operation since 2005.
Jeju Air Flight 2216’s last communication to the airport tower noted that the plane’s landing gear failed to deploy as it made its approach.
As of the most recent updates from ground zero, authorities are still trying to determine whether this was caused by inclement weather or a bird strike, or a collision between the aircraft and one or more flying birds.
What is currently known is that the aircraft sped down the runway on its belly for several minutes, eventually overshooting the Muan Airport runway.
The plane then hit a ground barrier, exploding into a fireball almost on impact. As this occurred, witnesses on the ground say they heard a loud bang.
The explosion is now making it harder for search-and-rescue or -retrieval teams to take bodies out of the debris, and further complicates the process of identifying individuals from the wreckage.
For now, bodies are being ferried to a temporary mortuary set up on the premises and will be transferred to funeral homes once positively identified.
Lee Jeong-hyeon, head of the Muan Fire Department, remarked at the second press conference held this afternoon: “It is presumed that most of the 181 on board have died. It is unfortunate, but that is what we are currently seeing.”
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has made his way to Muan to condole with the families of those aboard the flight, but has yet to give a statement at this time.
Meanwhile, Jeju Air has issued a statement following the crash, declaring: ““First, we bow our heads in apology to everyone who has trusted Jeju Air. At approximately 9:03am on 29th December, flight 7C2216 from Bangkok to Muan caught fire while landing at Muan International Airport. Above all, we express our deepest condolences and apologies to the families of the passengers who lost their lives in this accident. At present, the cause of the accident is difficult to determine, and we must await the official investigation results from the relevant government agencies. We at Jeju Air will do everything in our power in response to this accident. We sincerely apologise for causing concern.”
Boeing has likewise issued a press statement, saying: “We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
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