Flight with 181 people on board crashes in South Korea

In a devastating accident at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, nearly all of the 181 people aboard a Jeju Air flight are presumed dead after the aircraft veered off the runway and struck a concrete barrier.

Authorities confirmed that only two survivors were rescued from the wreckage, both of whom sustained serious injuries.

Footage of the crash shows the Boeing 737-800 skidding along the runway before crashing into the barrier and bursting into flames. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen rising into the air, with parts of the aircraft flying off upon impact.

The plane had been attempting to land after a flight from Bangkok when a reported bird strike and adverse weather conditions led to a failure in the landing gear, causing the plane to veer off course.

Local fire officials believe that the bird strike and weather conditions were likely contributing factors, though a full investigation is underway. The crash has shocked South Korea, with this incident potentially becoming the country’s worst domestic civil aviation disaster.

Jeju Air, a popular low-cost carrier, expressed deep apologies in a statement, acknowledging the severity of the crash and pledging to prioritize the management of the incident.

The airline also confirmed that the aircraft involved had been in operation for 15 years and had no history of accidents.