Rescuers operate at the site of an airplane crash at an airport in Muan, southwest South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2024. At least 28 people were killed in an airplane crash that occurred on Sunday at an airport in southwest South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency and local broadcaster YTN. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)
SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 28 people were killed in an airplane crash that occurred on Sunday at an airport in southwest South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency and local broadcaster YTN.
The passenger plane carrying 175 passengers and six crew members crashed while attempting to land at the Muan International Airport, about 290 km away from the capital Seoul, at around 9:07 a.m. local time (0007 GMT).
The Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand veered off the runway and crashed into the outer wall of the runway, with its fuselage destroyed in half and catching fire.
The accident was presumed to have been caused by a bird strike that led to landing gear failure.
The fire was extinguished some 43 minutes later, with about 80 firefighters deployed at the scene.
The police and fire authorities were working on rescue operations from the rear of the aircraft. ■
This photo shows the site of an airplane crash at an airport in Muan, southwest South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2024. At least 28 people were killed in an airplane crash that occurred on Sunday at an airport in southwest South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency and local broadcaster YTN. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)