South Korea's Deadliest Plane Crash Claims 179 Lives at Muan Airport

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A devastating plane crash at South Korea's Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024, has resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, marking the country’s worst aviation disaster since 1997. The Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, traveling from Bangkok and carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, encountered difficulties during its landing approach due to a reported malfunction in its landing gear.

After declaring a mayday just moments before the crash, the Boeing 737-800 slammed into a wall at the airport, erupting into flames. Rescuers have confirmed that only two crew members survived from the wreckage. Emergency crews have concluded operations on-site, with most of the deceased yet to be identified, while a temporary morgue has been established to assist in the recovery process.

South Korea's Acting President Choi Sang-mok has announced a seven-day national mourning period and designated Muan as a special disaster zone, ensuring state support for the victims' families. Initial investigations indicate a potential "bird strike" as a contributing factor, though further analyses are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause, including the possibility of technical malfunctions.

International leaders, including officials from India, China, and Japan, have extended their condolences to the victims' families. The airline's CEO has publicly apologized for the tragedy and pledged cooperation with ongoing inquiries.

As the aviation community grapples with this fatal incident, it raises concerns over global air travel safety standards and emphasizes the urgency for comprehensive investigations to prevent future tragedies.

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