S. Korea Plane Crash Death Toll Rises to 179

The death toll of the catastrophic plane crash in South Korea has risen to 179 passengers, leaving only 2 survivors from the 181 individuals on board, South Korea's Fire Department reported.

The incident occurred when a Boeing 737-8AS crashed during its landing approach at Muan International Airport, located in the country’s southwest.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the crash was caused by a bird strike that damaged the aircraft's landing gear.

The harsh weather conditions at the time may have further complicated the landing. Rescue teams managed to evacuate the two survivors, both crew members, from the rear of the aircraft, but the overwhelming majority of passengers perished.

South Korea has entered a period of national mourning, set to last until January 4, as the nation grapples with the scale of this tragedy.

The acting president emphasized the government’s commitment to providing full support to the victims’ families and ensuring all necessary resources are deployed for recovery efforts.

The black boxes, including the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder, have been recovered, enabling authorities to begin piecing together the events leading to the disaster.

Initial findings point to a combination of a bird strike and adverse weather conditions, but a thorough investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause.

The accident took place at Muan International Airport, located approximately 290 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The airport became the center of rescue and recovery operations, with 32 fire engines and dozens of emergency responders dispatched to the scene.

Jeju Air, the low-cost airline operating the flight, has issued a formal apology for the crash and is working closely with investigators to determine what went wrong. Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has also extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged its full cooperation in the ongoing investigation.