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Air traffic controllers warned pilots on a plane that crashed at an airport in South Korea, killing 179 passengers and crew, of a possible bird strike moments before it came down.
Authorities have confirmed that all 175 passengers, as well as four of the six crew, were killed in the incident at Muan international airport on Sunday morning. The only two survivors were crew sitting at the back of the plane at the time of the crash.
It is the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil in its history.
The Jeju Air flight erupted in flames after veering off the runway and crashing into a wall. Footage showed the horrifying moment the packed plane burst into flames.
The transport ministry has confirmed that air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the ill-fated flight about a bird strike risk just three minutes before the plane landed. The pilot then declared a mayday one minute later before trying to land the plane.
But experts have expressed scepticism that a collision with a bird could cause such damage. An investigation is now taking place into the disaster with the black box to the plane being recovered.
Watch: Moment Jeju Air plane skids along South Korea runway before crash
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 23:01
Roundup: Distraught families want answers after 179 people die in South Korea’s deadliest domestic air disaster
Read the full report on today’s events:
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 22:01
Why was there a concrete wall at end of runway?
The Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday morning. Footage showed the Boeing 737-800 “belly landing” without landing gear and sliding at high speed along the runway before hitting the wall.
Satellite maps show the concrete structure has stood at the southern end of the runway close to the perimeter fence for many years.
It holds the instrument landing system which helps pilots land at night or when visibility is poor.
At most airports, these systems are placed on collapsible structures.
The brick wall it struck was not necessarily exempt from international laws, but given that it caused the plane to explode, it may have been too strong.
If the plane had not struck the wall it would have hit through a perimeter fence, travelled over a road and likely stopped in an adjacent field.
The country’s deputy transport minister Joo Jong-wan said the runway’s 2,800m length was not a contributing factor in the crash – and maintained that walls at the ends were built to industry standards.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 21:33
Explained: Everything we know about South Korea’s worst domestic air disaster
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 21:29
Joe Biden offers US assistance to South Korea
US President Joe Biden has said the United States is prepared to provide any necessary assistance to South Korea after a deadly plane crash in Muan.
“As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy,” Biden said in a statement. “The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance.”
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 20:59
Survivor able to communicate in hospital
A 33-year-old flight attendant from the Jeju Air plane told doctors he had already been rescued when he woke up, according to news agency Yonhap.
He was first taken to a hospital in Mokpo, about 25km (15.5 miles) south of the airport, but was later transferred to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in the capital.
“He’s fully able to communicate,” Mr Ju said. “There’s no indication yet of memory loss or such.”
Lee was sitting in the back of the plane and remembers touching down, but nothing after that. When he arrived at the hospital, he simply asked: “What happened?”
The survivor, who suffered multiple fractures, is receiving special care due to the risk of after-effects, including total paralysis, the news agency added.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 20:28
Key timings of the crash
Below, we have some key timings of the Jeju Air plane crash earlier today, according to South Korea’s transport ministry. They show local times in South Korea.
08:57 a.m. – Control tower issued a bird strike warning
08:59 a.m. – Mayday call
09:03 a.m. – Runway crash
11:30 a.m. – Flight data recorder recovered
2:24 p.m. – Cockpit voice recorder recovered
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 19:59
Full report: Plane crash kills 179 in South Korea as Jeju Air flight hits wall
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 19:19
Father of woman killed says the tragedy is unbelievable
Jeon Je-young keeps playing the video of the plane with his daughter and another 180 people on board slamming into a wall and bursting into flames at a South Korean airport.
His daughter Mi-sook died on board. He still can’t believe it.
“When I saw the accident video, the plane seemed out of control,” 71-year-old Jeon told Reuters. “The pilots probably had no choice but to do it. My daughter, who is only in her mid-40s, ended up like this. This is unbelievable.”
Mi-sook was a warm-hearted child, he said. She brought some food and next year’s calendar to his house on 21 December, which became his last brief moment with her.
“She is much nicer than my son, sometimes asking me to go out for a meal,” Jeon recalled, showing his last exchanges with his daughter on his mobile phone.
Jeon’s daughter had been on her way home after travelling with friends to Bangkok for the Christmas holiday. She leaves behind a devastated family, including a husband and teenage daughter.
“The water near the airport is not deep. Here are softer fields than this cement runway. Why couldn’t the pilot land there instead?” Jeon said.
“She was almost home, so (she saw) no need to call the family (to leave any final message). She thought she was coming home,” Jeon said.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 18:59
South Korean president announces national period of mourning
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has announced a period of national mourning over the deadly plane crash, local media reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy,” Choi said, according to Yonhap news agency.
He declared a seven-day national mourning period, starting Sunday, and lasting until midnight on Saturday.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 18:39