On New Year’s Day, grieving relatives of those lost in the recent South Korean plane crash gathered at the crash site to pay their final respects, following the identification of all 179 victims.
The tragic incident involved a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air, which crashed at Muan International Airport. Of the 181 individuals on board, only two survived. The crash occurred as the aircraft attempted to land without deployed landing gear, causing it to skid off the runway, collide with a concrete fence, and burst into flames.
Most of the victims were South Korean nationals, aside from two individuals from Thailand. The passengers were primarily returning from holiday trips in Bangkok when the accident took place. The affected families conducted a traditional memorial service at the crash site, laying white flowers and displaying deep emotional grief.
The identification process was challenging due to the severe damage to many of the bodies, but authorities have successfully identified all the victims and have begun returning remains to their families. So far, 11 bodies have been handed over.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, with ongoing investigations. Preliminary insights suggest the aircraft experienced engine issues alongside a malfunctioning landing gear. Before the crash, the pilot received warnings about potential bird strikes and sent a distress signal. Additionally, the role of the airport’s localizer—a guidance system for landings housed in the concrete fence—will be scrutinized.
In response to this tragic event, the South Korean government has initiated safety checks on all Boeing 737-800s within the country. Meanwhile, a team of investigators from the United States, including Boeing representatives, has visited the site to contribute to the investigation.
As investigators work to uncover the exact details of the tragedy, the focus remains on providing support to the bereaved families and ensuring the safety of air travel in the future.
Source: News4jax
