A Boeing 737 carrying 175 passengers has tragically crashed into a wall at Muan International Airport in South Korea, bursting into flames and causing dozens of feared fatalities. The plane, which also had six crew members on board, veered off the runway before colliding with the wall, resulting in a terrifying fireball.
Yonhap news agency has confirmed that at least 28 passengers have sadly lost their lives. The aircraft exploded upon impact, causing severe damage and igniting a fire.
The South Korean National Fire Agency suggests that a bird strike may have caused issues with the landing gear. Shocking footage reveals the moment the plane collided with the fence.
Warning: Distressing content
A horrifying image shared by Yonhap shows the plane shattered and ablaze beside the airport runway. News1 Korea reports that the crash occurred during landing, around 9am local time.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok is understood to be travelling from Seoul to the crash site, roughly 300km away, after ordering the mobilisation of all available personnel for the rescue effort.
With major damage to the rest of the plane, fire officials said their lifesaving efforts were largely focused on the burning tail of the plane.
Due to this extensive damage, the rescue team expects the number of casualties to rise.
Emergency officials initially indicated that the aircraft caught fire following a malfunction with its landing gear. The doomed flight, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, had originated from Bangkok, Thailand.
Reports from local media suggest that the Boeing 737 was forced to attempt a “belly landing” after a suspected bird strike compromised its landing gear.
Authorities stated that the plane failed to decelerate sufficiently before reaching the runway’s end, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage and subsequent fire.