Flight from Bangkok Crashes at Muan Airport Carrying 181 people: Search and Rescue Underway

Tragedy struck on Sunday mo as a passenger plane from Bangkok, carrying 181 people, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province. Most passengers were reportedly returning from a five-day Christmas getaway in Thailand.

News1 reported that Jeju Air flight 7C2216 departed Bangkok at 1:30 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land at Muan International Airport around 8:30 a.m.

The aircraft carried 175 passengers and 6 crew members, including 173 South Koreans and 2 Thai nationals.

Sources indicate that two travel agencies, including Hana Tour, entered the flight specifically for holiday travelers. Charter flights between Muan Airport and Bangkok have been operating four times weekly since December 8, and service is scheduled to continue until March 23 next year.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike caused engine and hydraulic system failures. This led to a malfunction of the landing gear, forcing the pilots to attempt a belly landing. Unable to sufficiently reduce speed, the aircraft collided with the runway’s retaining wall.

Emergency services quickly escalated the response to level 3, deploying 80 firefighters and 32 vehicles to combat the blaze and conduct rescue operations.

Authorities have confirmed the rescue of one passenger and one crew member, who were immediately transported to a nearby hospital. Search and rescue efforts continue amidst the wreckage.

The death toll currently stands at 85.