Muan, South Korea – A heartbreaking and terrible accident happened at Muan International Airport on Sunday. Jeju Air flight 2216, a big plane called a Boeing 737-800, was flying from Bangkok, Thailand, to South Korea. Sadly, it crashed while trying to make an emergency landing.
The crash was devastating. The plane hit a wall, burst into flames, and scattered pieces like seats, suitcases, and metal across the area. Out of the 181 people on board, only two survived. They were both flight attendants. The other 179 passengers, including children, tragically lost their lives.
What Happened at the Crash Site?
Emergency workers rushed to the scene to put out the fire and search for anyone alive. They used a giant yellow crane to lift the plane’s body, called the fuselage, so they could look more carefully. It was a sad and difficult task.
Around the crash site, you could see parts of the plane like seats and the burnt tail. Nearby, there were small things left behind, like duty-free shopping booklets and gloves used by the crew. The area was quiet, except for the sound of cameras and reporters sharing the news.
Families Waiting for News
Inside the airport, the scene was filled with sadness. Families of the passengers gathered, hoping to hear news about their loved ones. Many cried, and some fainted from the shock.
One board in the airport, which is usually used to show flight times, now showed the names, ages, and nationalities of the victims. An elderly man said, “I had a son on that plane… He hasn’t been identified yet.”
A woman named Jo, who wore a grey hat and a mask, said her sister was on the plane. “My sister went to heaven today,” she said, crying. Her sister had been on a fun holiday in Bangkok with friends.
The youngest passenger was only three years old, and the oldest was 78. Five children under the age of 10 were among those who died.
Messages From the Plane
One of the saddest stories came from a text message sent by a passenger to their family. The passenger wrote, “Wait, a bird is stuck in the wing. Unable to land now… Should I leave a will?”
This was their last message, sent at 9:01 a.m. Later, their child replied, “Why can’t I make a call with you?” The message was sent at 9:37 a.m. but was never read.
A National Tragedy
This is the deadliest plane crash in South Korea in many years. The whole country is grieving. People held a moment of silence at sports games like volleyball and basketball to honor the victims. TV stations stopped regular shows to share updates, and big events like award shows were canceled out of respect.
The accident happened during a difficult time for South Korea. The country’s leadership is in chaos, with two presidents being impeached recently. Some groups are even thinking about delaying planned protests to focus on this tragedy.
What’s Next?
Investigators are trying to figure out why the crash happened. The airport’s runway will stay closed for several days. Many people believe that understanding what went wrong is very important to prevent something like this from happening again.
This is a deeply sad time for South Korea. Families are mourning their loved ones, and the whole nation is sharing in their grief.
