South Korea’s acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has declared a period of national mourning until January 4, 2025, over a plane crash at Muan international airport.
He was quoted as saying, “We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy.”
Flags at government offices will be lowered and civil servants will wear black ribbons.
The incident is the first major test for Choi, who assumed office on Friday, December 27, 2024, after South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach the previous Acting President, Han Duck-soo.
It is the deadliest air crash to occur in South Korea, surpassing the 1993 Asiana Airlines crash in Mokpo that killed over 60 people.
179 people were killed in South Korea’s worst domestic civil aviation disaster on Sunday, December 29, 2024, after a plane – flying from Bangkok – crashed while landing at Muan international airport shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT).
Four crew members and all 175 passengers, including five children under the age of 10, were killed.
Two people, both crew members, were rescued from the wreckage and taken to hospital. According to authorities, they suffered “mid to severe” injuries.
181 people were on board the plane at the time of the crash – including six crew members.
Most passengers were South Koreans, apart from two Thai nationals, thought to be aged 22 and 45. Many of the passengers were reportedly returning from a Christmas spent in Thailand.
Authorities disclosed that the youngest passenger was a three-year-old boy and the oldest was a 78-year-old.
Investigators are examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors behind the crash.
The plane involved in the crash was a Boeing 737-800 flown by Korean budget airline Jeju Air. The runway at the airport is expected to be closed until January 1, 2025.
A transport ministry official said that workers had retrieved the flight data and cockpit voice recorders of the plane’s black box. They will be examined by government experts.
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae apologised for the accident, bowing deeply during a televised briefing. He said that the aircraft had no record of accidents and there were no early signs of malfunction.
Over 1,500 emergency personnel have been deployed to the site and a special disaster zone has been enforced.
Messages Of Condolence
South Korea’s suspended President, Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment trial is pending following his failed martial law declaration earlier this month, wrote on Facebook a message expressing “deep condolences to those who lost their precious lives and to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones.”
“I am devastated and heartbroken. I believe the government will do its best to manage the accident and support the victims. I will stand with the people to overcome this difficult situation as soon as possible.”
Yoon Suk-yeol
Also, Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba said that he was “deeply saddened by the loss of many precious lives” in a message released through Tokyo’s foreign ministry.
It follows similar messages of condolences, including from China, the UK and Ukraine.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping sent his condolences to South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok.
Xi expressed shocked regarding the significant number of casualties and expressed deep mourning for the victims, condolences to the bereaved families, and wishes to the injured for a speedy recovery.
UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, stated that he is “deeply saddened” by the fatal Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea.
In a post on X, Lammy wrote, “My heartfelt condolences go out to the people of South Korea and Thailand, and all those that have lost loved ones.”
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