Doha – A Jeju Air passenger plane crash-landed and erupted in flames at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, killing at least 167 people in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster on domestic soil.

Flight 7C2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members from Bangkok, totaling 181 people aboard, attempted to land at approximately 9:03 a.m. local time (00:03 GMT) when the Boeing 737-800 aircraft skidded off the runway without its landing gear deployed, collided with a barrier, and burst into flames.

Only two crew members – one male and one female – were rescued from the tail section of the aircraft, according to Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun. Both survivors are being treated at local hospitals with medium to severe injuries.

Jeolla Fire Department officials stated that, “Out of the 181 passengers, most are presumed dead, except for the two who were rescued,” according to reporting by Anadolu Agency.

“Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognize,” Lee told reporters at a briefing.

The passenger list included two Thai nationals, while the remaining were South Korean citizens, according to the transportation ministry. The incident marks the deadliest aviation accident in South Korean history since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam claimed more than 200 lives.

Possible causes under investigation

Investigators are examining multiple potential causes for the crash. According to the Land Ministry, the control tower had instructed the pilot to change course to avoid a potential bird strike. The pilot made a mayday call approximately one minute after receiving these instructions, with the crash occurring about two minutes later.

Local media broadcast footage showing the aircraft sliding on its belly at high speed before hitting an earthen embankment and erupting in a fireball. Neither the front nor back landing gear was visible in the footage.

The flight data recorder has been recovered, though the voice recording device remains missing, according to ministry officials. More than 700 personnel from the police, military, and coast guard have been mobilized for on-site response efforts.

Emergency response and family impact

Hours after the crash, distraught family members gathered at the airport’s arrival area, where Red Cross volunteers provided support. The scene turned emotionally charged as officials began identifying victims through fingerprints.

“My older brother died and I don’t know what’s going on,” one relative was quoted saying during a briefing session. A temporary morgue has been established to handle the casualties.

Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae issued a public apology, stating that the aircraft had no previous accident record and showed no early signs of malfunction. “At this time, it is difficult to determine the cause of the accident, and we have to wait for the official announcement of the investigation by the relevant government agency,” Kim said during a press briefing.

Government response

South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok declared the crash site a special disaster zone, pledging full government support for the recovery efforts and victims’ families.

“We will concentrate all resources on recovery and support for the victims. All necessary resources are being mobilized, and a special disaster zone has been declared,” Choi said in a statement after visiting the crash site.

Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, expressed condolences and stated they are “in contact with Jeju Air regarding Flight 2216 and stand ready to support them.”

The accident occurred just three weeks after Jeju Air, South Korea’s leading low-cost carrier, launched regular flights from Muan to Bangkok on December 8. All domestic and international flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended following the incident.

This tragic event represents the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history since its establishment in 2005, marking a devastating turn for South Korea’s aviation industry, which has maintained a strong safety record in recent years.