A passenger plane crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, leaving 179 of the 181 people onboard dead.
The tragic accident occurred early Sunday morning (December 29) when the Jeju Air flight, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, skidded off the runway while attempting to land. The flight was arriving from Thailand. Only two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—have been rescued.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, preliminary investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by a "bird strike leading to landing gear failure" as the aircraft attempted to land in the country’s southwestern airport.
Footage of the incident shows rescue teams working near the tail section of the wrecked aircraft, with flames and thick smoke visible in several parts of the plane.
The office of South Korea's Acting President, Choi Sang-mok, stated that the president has directed authorities to manage rescue operations efficiently. Choi assumed his role as the country’s interim leader last Friday.
The Guardian also reported details of the tragic incident, which has shaken the nation.
