Janice R. Andrews
Authorities in South Korea are ramping up efforts to identify the victims of the fatal Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport, which tragically killed 179 people. The disaster occurred on Sunday morning when the aircraft caught fire after a failed landing attempt.
Investigators are focusing on potential causes, such as a bird strike and runway safety issues. It was reported that Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 collided with birds shortly before attempting to land. Pilots declared an emergency and attempted to abort the landing.
Kang Jung-hyun, a senior official with South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, shared that air traffic control had warned the pilots about bird activity just moments before the crash. Despite the emergency response, the plane belly-landed, skidded off the runway, and crashed into a concrete embankment, sparking a fire.
The airport, located in southwestern South Korea, will remain closed until January 7 to allow for a thorough investigation. Authorities are working to retrieve data from the damaged cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
Experts have expressed concerns about the runway’s design, questioning why a concrete wall was present instead of safety systems meant to prevent planes from overrunning the runway.
The identification process is proving to be slow and challenging due to the severe damage to the victims’ remains. Park Han-shin, a representative of the victims’ families, described the painstaking recovery efforts, noting that the bodies are so badly damaged that they need to be carefully reconstructed. Families are calling for additional medical resources to expedite the identification process.
In response to the tragedy, acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered an emergency inspection of South Korea’s airlines, beginning with the 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by local carriers. Yoo Kyeong-soo, head of the Aviation Safety Policy division, confirmed that special inspections would focus on maintenance systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As authorities continue to investigate whether mechanical failure or pilot error contributed to the crash, families await closure. The tragic event has sparked concerns about aviation safety and the readiness of South Korea’s air travel infrastructure.
The nation remains in mourning as investigators work to uncover the full details of the incident and bring closure to the grieving families.
