EAM Jaishankar Expresses Sympathy for Victims of South Korea Plane Crash
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New Delhi, Dec 30 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar conveyed his sorrow and extended his condolences to the families of over 170 individuals who lost their lives in a tragic airplane accident at Muan International Airport in South Korea.
In a statement on X, EAM Jaishankar remarked, "Deeply saddened by the tragic airplane crash at the Muan International Airport. Extend condolences to the bereaved families. Our thoughts are with the people of South Korea at this difficult time."
Reports from the Yonhap news agency indicated that South Korean authorities confirmed the fatalities of 179 people, with two survivors rescued from a total of 181 passengers onboard following the crash in the Muan region.
The incident took place on Sunday morning when a Jeju Air passenger jet, which had 175 passengers and six crew members on board, belly-landed and erupted in flames at Muan International Airport, as reported by Yonhap.
The aircraft lost control during landing, failing to deploy its landing gear, skidding across the tarmac, crashing into a concrete wall, and igniting.
The two crew members who survived have been taken to hospitals in Seoul after receiving initial care.
As stated by Yonhap, this tragedy marks the deadliest aviation incident on South Korean territory and ranks as the third most lethal involving a South Korean airline.
"The aircraft has nearly been obliterated, and identifying the deceased is challenging... The recovery of remains is underway and will require time," a firefighting agency representative noted, according to Yonhap.
Investigators are probing the possibility of a bird strike causing the landing gear failure that may have contributed to the crash.
Authorities have successfully retrieved the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared Muan County a special disaster zone and visited the site to oversee search efforts.
In a statement, Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae offered an apology and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, accepting full responsibility for the incident.
The airline has committed to providing comprehensive support to the affected families, including financial aid, under its $1 billion insurance plan.
"Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO," Kim stated.
