A devastating plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport claimed the lives of 179 people on Sunday, leaving only two survivors from a Jeju Air flight that met with a tragic end. The incident, involving a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, unfolded when the plane, flying from Bangkok to Muan, failed to land safely and crashed into a fence before bursting into flames. The crash has been attributed to a potential landing gear malfunction, according to preliminary investigations.
The ill-fated flight carried 181 passengers, including a three-year-old baby and a 78-year-old man, the youngest and oldest victims of the crash. Two Thai nationals also lost their lives in the incident. Heart-wrenching visuals from the scene showed the aircraft skidding off the runway, with a massive fire consuming it within seconds, leaving only the charred tail section as evidence of the plane’s identity.
Amid this tragedy, a glimmer of hope emerged as two flight attendants, seated in the rear tail section of the plane, were rescued alive. Identified as 32-year-old Lee and 25-year-old Kwon, the survivors owe their lives to their seating location—statistically proven to be the safest in a plane crash. A 2015 study by TIME Magazine found that rear seats in an aircraft have a 32 percent fatality rate, significantly lower than the middle and front sections, which have 39 percent and 38 percent fatality rates, respectively.
Rescue teams found Lee and Kwon in the tail section of the charred aircraft. Lee, who sustained a fractured left shoulder and head injuries, was conscious but in shock. According to hospital authorities, she repeatedly asked, “What happened?” and “Why am I here?” Kwon, who suffered a fractured ankle, scalp lacerations, and abdominal pain, also displayed signs of severe trauma and confusion, unable to recall the sequence of events.
Medical teams confirmed that while both survivors have significant injuries, their lives are not in danger. They remain under observation as they recover from the physical and emotional impact of the tragedy.
The crash occurred shortly after 9 am local time as the aircraft attempted to land at Muan. Eyewitness accounts and video footage suggest the plane attempted a “belly landing” without its landing gear fully extended, leading to the fatal sequence of events. The tragedy has raised questions about the aircraft’s maintenance and operational protocols, prompting a detailed investigation by aviation authorities.
This catastrophic event has left families grieving and the nation in mourning as the investigation continues. The incident highlights the importance of air travel safety measures, with the survivors’ story serving as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of such disasters.
