Crash at Muan Airport at 9:03 AM on the 29th
Collision accident during belly landing due to landing gear failure
At 9:03 a.m. on the 29th, a passenger plane carrying 181 passengers collided with the outer wall of the runway while landing at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam, causing a fire that has so far resulted in 62 deaths in a major disaster. Except for the tail section, most of the plane was burned to the point where its shape was unrecognizable, and the number of casualties is expected to rise significantly.
On the 29th, the Fire Department announced, "There are currently 62 confirmed deaths from the Muan aviation passenger plane." The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated regarding the accident involving Jeju Air Flight 2216 (Bangkok~Muan) during landing on the Muan Airport runway, "We are currently confirming the exact number of casualties," and added, "The Ministry is operating the Central Accident Response Headquarters and will respond comprehensively to minimize human damage."
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, "There were a total of 175 passengers (including 2 Thai nationals) and 6 crew members on board, and we are confirming the exact number of casualties," adding, "An accident investigation committee investigator arrived at 10:10 a.m. and is currently investigating the cause. We have instructed airlines and airports to ensure the safe operation of aircraft."
The aircraft involved was a B737-800, carrying a total of 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. Of the 175 passengers, 173 were Korean, and the remaining 2 were tentatively classified as Thai nationals. The fire authorities completed initial extinguishing around 9:46 a.m. As of 11:10 a.m., two injured persons have been rescued, one of whom has been confirmed to be a crew member.
Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, which had the accident that day, departed from Bangkok around 1:30 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Muan Airport around 8:30 a.m. The passenger plane failed to land on the Muan Airport runway and attempted a belly landing due to landing gear failure, during which the accident occurred. The cause of the landing gear failure is currently presumed to be a 'bird strike.'
Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, instructed on the 29th regarding the aircraft accident at Muan Airport in Jeonnam, "Mobilize all available equipment and personnel to fully focus on rescuing lives."
Acting President Choi arrived at the Central Disaster Management Office in the Government Seoul Office Building around 9:50 a.m. and held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, issuing this directive to the Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Commissioner of the Fire Department, and the Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency.
Korea Airports Corporation also stated, "We are mobilizing all equipment and personnel to fully focus on rescue operations and accident recovery," adding, "The Muan Airport fire brigade immediately dispatched to the scene upon the accident, and in cooperation with local fire brigades, is conducting joint operations including fire suppression and rescue."
Furthermore, "The headquarters and Muan Airport have formed an accident response task force and are responding with full force, and nearby airports such as Gwangju Airport and Yeosu Airport have also assembled emergency staff and task forces to support accident recovery," they said.
Jeju Air also expressed its position on the Muan Airport accident, saying, "We will do our best. We apologize for causing concern."
The National Police Agency issued a Gabho emergency alert in the Jeonnam Muan area where the Muan Airport plane crash occurred. Gabho emergency is the highest level among security emergency stages. Police officers’ leave is suspended, and 100% of available personnel are mobilized. Commanders and staff must be located in offices or on-site.
In the nearby Hampyeong and Mokpo areas, Eulho emergency was issued. Eulho emergency is the second-highest level following Gabho emergency and is issued when large-scale group incidents, terrorism, disasters, or signs of such events cause or are expected to cause public order disruption. Commanders and staff must be positioned on the command line, and up to 50% of available police forces can be mobilized.
Lee Ho-young, Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency, urged in the morning, "Mobilize all available personnel including the duty rapid response team to thoroughly support emergency rescue," and requested, "Share real-time information among related agencies such as fire departments, local governments, and airports."
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