Muan, South Korea — A tragic plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea on the morning of December 29 has claimed the lives of at least 179 people, with only two survivors reported. The aircraft, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, was carrying 181 individuals, including six crew members, from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan.

The crash occurred at approximately 9:07 a.m. local time when the plane veered off the runway during landing and collided with a barrier before catching fire. Initial reports suggest a possible landing gear malfunction may have contributed to the disaster.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, deploying 32 fire trucks and multiple helicopters to extinguish the blaze and rescue survivors.

Jeju Air issued a public statement expressing deep regret and extending condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “We are committed to fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation to determine the cause of this tragic incident.”

The majority of the passengers were South Korean nationals, traveling home ahead of the New Year.

This marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korea in decades, with the last major incident occurring in 1997. Investigations are ongoing, led by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, along with aviation safety experts.

The identities of the victims are being verified, and the two survivors are receiving medical treatment. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Sources: Yonhap News, Reuters, Associated Press