Tragic Jeju Air Crash Kills 179 in South Korea: Bird Strike Suspected as Cause
A devastating aircraft crash on Sunday, involving a Jeju Air flight from Thailand to South Korea, has claimed the lives of 179 people, marking the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. The crash befell upon the aircraft’s arrival at Muan International Airport, placed approximately 288 km southwest of Seoul. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, struck a barrier after a suspected chicken strike, causing an explosion that left the plane almost completely destroyed. Only two flight attendants survived, having been pulled from the wreckage, and each are now improving in medical institution.
The Crash and Its Immediate Aftermath
The sick-fated flight, Jeju Air Flight 2216, changed into wearing 181 human beings in overall, including 179 passengers and flight attendants. Among the passengers, all however have been South Korean nationals, with the opposite two being Thai citizens. The youngest passenger on board become a three-yr-vintage boy, and the oldest turned into 78 years old.
The aircraft reportedly encountered trouble quickly after a chook strike caution turned into issued via the control tower. Video footage suggests the aircraft trying an emergency landing, skidding alongside the runway before crashing right into a wall and bursting into flames. According to fire officials, passengers have been ejected from the aircraft upon impact, leaving little risk for survival.
Rescue groups labored speedy, the usage of a large crane to boost the charred remains of the plane whilst scattered debris, along with bits of aircraft seats and baggage, dotted the area around the runway. Firefighters additionally showed that the 2 survivors had been flight attendants, one a 33-year-vintage man with multiple fractures and the other, a 25-year-antique woman, tormented by injuries to her ankle and head.
Investigations Point to Bird Strike
The preliminary research shows that the crash may additionally have been due to a chook strike, which is a recognised threat to aviation. The delivery ministry confirmed that the manage tower had issued a warning of a bird strike, after which the pilots declared a mayday. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft tried to land from the opposite route, however it crashed before completing the maneuver.
A passenger, who controlled to text a relative earlier than the crash, cited that a chicken was stuck within the wing, and their ultimate message read, “Should I say my remaining phrases?” The chook strike probably compromised the plane’s engine, causing a lack of electricity, that can have contributed to the crash. The genuine motive remains below research, however a fowl strike is presumed to have precipitated the catastrophic failure.
Notably, fowl strikes have brought about several fatal accidents in the past. A similar event happened in 2009, when a US Airways Airbus A320 was pressured to land within the Hudson River after both engines failed due to a bird strike. In that incident, all passengers survived, and the occasion turned into dubbed the “Miracle at the Hudson.”
International Reactions and Grief
As news of the disaster unfold, condolences poured in from around the sector. Kuwait expressed its sympathy, sending condolences to South Korea and wishing a rapid restoration to the injured. Thai officers additionally confirmed the deaths of Thai nationals, elderly 22 and forty five, who have been some of the victims. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her sorrow and directed the foreign ministry to help the families of the deceased.
In South Korea, households collected at Muan International Airport, anxiously expecting news of their loved ones. The identification procedure started out rapidly, with government confirming the identities of sixty five sufferers, triggering waves of grief among ready relatives. The crash has left an indelible mark at the kingdom, which has declared a seven-day duration of country wide mourning. Memorial altars will be installation nationwide, and the government has pledged to offer full guide to the grieving families.
South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, who took workplace simply days earlier than the tragedy, visited the crash website online to offer his condolences and make sure that the authorities would offer all important help.
A Shocking Milestone for Jeju Air
This crash marks the primary deadly twist of fate inside the records of Jeju Air, a famous low-fee service in South Korea. Established in 2005, Jeju Air has had a robust safety report, with simplest minor incidents within the beyond, which includes a runway departure because of sturdy winds in 2007, which ended in numerous accidents however no fatalities.
The airline has for the reason that expressed its deep regret and apologised for the disaster. Senior officers of Jeju Air bowed deeply at a press conference, acknowledging the gravity of the tragedy and vowing to do the whole lot of their energy to assist the families of the victims.
The Bigger Picture: Aviation Safety and the Future
South Korea’s aviation industry is known for its solid safety requirements, and this incident has raised issues approximately bird moves, a hazard that has been responsible for numerous aviation injuries globally. The ability hazard of fowl strikes is some thing aviation authorities round the sector take severely, as these moves can cause considerable damage to engines, as was likely the case here.
As investigations keep, government will observe all elements of the crash, along with the plane’s renovation facts, weather conditions, and the series of events leading to the tragedy. The international aviation network, inclusive of Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International, has additionally expressed its sorrow over the incident and pledged help to Jeju Air.
Conclusion
The crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 has been a heartbreaking event for South Korea, Thailand, and the worldwide aviation network. While the cause of the crash remains beneath investigation, the suspected hen strike highlights a persistent danger in aviation. The tragedy has left an entire nation in mourning, with the households of the victims and survivors receiving ongoing support from the authorities and the airline. This catastrophic occasion serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of aviation protection in preventing such disasters inside the future.
