A plane carrying 181 people crashed at Muan International Airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday, killing at least 28 people, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
The Jeju Air flight, which had departed from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed after it went off the runway and struck a wall while attempting to land. The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency services working to reach individuals trapped in the tail section of the plane. One survivor has been reported, though the death toll has not been confirmed by authorities.
Local media released video footage showing the plane skidding down the runway without visible landing gear before it crashed into a wall, resulting in an explosion of flames and debris. Photos also showed smoke and fire engulfing parts of the aircraft.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Yonhap news reports that a bird strike may have caused a malfunction in the plane’s landing gear.
Acting President Choi Sung-mok, who was named interim leader after the impeachment of the previous acting president, ordered an all-out rescue effort in response to the incident.
Jeju Air has confirmed the crash and is reviewing the situation, a company spokesperson said.
A bbc story
