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29-12-2024
SEOUL: Fire authorities have recovered 120 bodies from the Jeju Air crash site at Muan International Airport, with 59 people still missing, according to South Korea’s national fire agency. Officials say the death toll so far includes 54 men, 57 women, and nine victims whose gender could not be immediately determined.
Rescue teams have divided the crash site into three zones as they continue to search for the remaining victims. However, fire officials told families at a briefing in the airport terminal that survival chances for the missing passengers are “virtually none” due to the severity of the crash and subsequent fire.
Only two people have reportedly survived the crash after being rescued from the aircraft’s tail section. They were rushed to a nearby hospital with “moderate to severe” injuries.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operating as flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, was attempting what officials described as a “belly landing” after experiencing landing gear problems. The plane struck airport perimeter structures and broke apart, with most of the fuselage being consumed by fire.
According to local media reports, many of the passengers were families returning from Christmas package holidays in Thailand. The flight was carrying 175 passengers (173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals), along with six crew members.
Ambassadors from around the world have offered messages of condolence.
Philip Goldberg, the US ambassador to South Korea, said on social media: “I was heartbroken to hear about the tragedy at Muan Airport this morning. My sincerest condolences go out to the victims and their loved ones, and my thoughts are with the people of Korea during this difficult time.”
German ambassador to South Korea Georg Schmidt also offered condolences, writing: “Very best wishes for the injured and all involved in the rescue efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with South Korea.”
British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks wrote: “Deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in this morning’s dreadful air accident at Muan.”
This declaration triggers a range of emergency relief measures and special administrative, fiscal, and financial support from the government to assist regions and residents affected by large-scale natural or man-made disasters.
South Korea’s national rail operator has announced a special train service to help families reach Muan, reports News1.
A KTX bullet train will depart Seoul Station at 3pm local time and arrive at Mokpo. The railway company says bereaved families can use these services free of charge and additional trains will be arranged if needed. Mokpo station is the closest rail terminal to Muan International Airport.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, arrived at Muan International Airport at 12:55 PM local time to oversee the response to the disaster.
Choi said at the crash site.
He promised full government support for bereaved families.
Choi, who became acting president just days ago amid South Korea’s ongoing political crisis, activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters earlier in the day.
His visit to the crash site marks the government’s highest-level response to what is becoming one of South Korea’s worst aviation disasters, and the worst to have occurred on South Korean soil. (Int’l News Desk)
