Firefighters, Police, and National Forensic Service Complete Large-Scale Search on 4th
176 of 179 Victims Transported to Funeral Homes
3 Remain in Temporary Morgue
Investigation Committee Completes CVR Transcript Preparation
Firefighters are searching for belongings at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred at Muan International Airport, Jeonnam, 30 days ago. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong
A large-scale search operation to recover the bodies and personal belongings of the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Jeonnam Muan International Airport has been completed.
On the 5th, the recovery authorities including fire services, police, and the National Forensic Service announced that the third search of the tail fuselage section at the accident site was completed on the 4th. No personal belongings or bodies were found. Since the accident occurred on December 29 last year, the authorities have spent a week recovering bodies and belongings from the fuselage, runway, reed fields, and surrounding areas.
The authorities have recovered all 179 victims who died, and personal belongings with confirmed owners have been sent to the bereaved families. The victims' bodies are expected to be handed over to most of the families on this day after completing the related procedures.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Central Accident Countermeasures Headquarters, as of noon on this day, 176 victims have been transported to funeral homes, and 3 remain at temporary morgues.
As many bereaved families dispersed for funeral procedures, the government briefings held in the airport terminal will also conclude from this day.
However, the Integrated Support Center for Bereaved Families, where officials from various government ministries gather at the airport, will be maintained to continue the dedicated civil servant support system. The joint memorial altars set up at Muan Airport, Jeonnam Provincial Office, and Muan Sports Park will continue to operate, and emergency care services for bereaved families on business trips will be provided. Additionally, dedicated civil servants will maintain contact with bereaved families who have returned home after funeral procedures.
The bereaved families’ representative group will hold a general meeting of all bereaved families on the 11th, when the funeral procedures are expected to be completed, to discuss future response directions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board completed the transcription of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recording the day before, and preparations are underway to transfer the flight data recorder (FDR) to the United States the following day. In addition, investigations are ongoing on two accident aircraft engines and parts that were moved to the hangar, and aircraft debris outside the airport fence is being moved inside the fence.
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