At Least 124 Dead In South Korea Plane Crash At Muan Airport

Seoul, South Korea– At least 124 people have been confirmed dead after a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed during landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737, veered off the runway and collided with a wall around 9 a.m. local time.

The National Fire Agency reported the updated death toll, which has steadily risen as emergency crews continue recovery efforts.

The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members on a flight from Bangkok, according to the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

Meanwhile, a plume of smoke rising from the crash site as emergency responders worked to extinguish fires and rescue survivors.

ABC News reports that video footage from the scene of the crash suggests the plane’s landing gear was not deployed when it touched down, indicating a possible malfunction.

.The video also shows the plane landing at an unusually high speed.

Investigators from South Korea’s transport ministry were on-site examining the cause of the crash.

By Sunday evening, officials confirmed at least 124 fatalities, according to the National Fire Agency. Of the deceased, 54 were men and 57 were women, while 13 victims remain unidentified.

Two survivors—a man and a woman, both identified as crew members—were pulled from the wreckage and taken to the hospital. Their conditions have not been disclosed. Initial reports regarding the number of survivors were conflicting.

Dramatic footage from the crash site captured flames and thick plumes of dark smoke.

Authorities stated that by 1 p.m. local time, the aircraft had been completely consumed by fire. A temporary morgue was being established at the airport.

Jeju Air, a South Korean budget airline with a fleet of 42 Boeing aircraft and nearly 3,000 employees, operates the route.

The crash occurred at Muan International Airport in the southwestern city of Muan, home to approximately 90,000 residents.

In a statement posted on its website, Jeju Air expressed its condolences: “We deeply apologize to all those affected by the incident at Muan Airport. We will make every effort to resolve the situation and sincerely regret the distress caused.”

The company also altered its website’s logo to a somber black version of its usual orange branding.

Boeing confirmed it was in contact with Jeju Air and pledged to assist with the investigation.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,” a company spokesperson said.

Firefighters and rescue teams continued working at the crash site late into the day, sifting through the wreckage for answers and any remaining victims.