“The passengers have been ejected from the aircraft after it collided with the wall, leaving little likelihood of survival,” a neighborhood hearth official instructed the households throughout a briefing, in accordance with an announcement launched by the fireplace division.
“The aircraft is nearly utterly destroyed and identification of the deceased is proving tough. The course of is taking time whereas we find and recuperate the stays,” he mentioned.
Only two individuals have been rescued, each flight attendants, and 124 individuals have been confirmed lifeless as of mid-afternoon, the fireplace division mentioned in an announcement.
An AFP photographer noticed the burnt wreckage of Jeju Air’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the runway in Muan – about 288 km southwest of Seoul – as firefighters and emergency automobiles labored close by.
“MAY FIRST”
The crash occurred inside minutes on Sunday, the Land Ministry mentioned, with 175 passengers, together with two Thai residents, and 6 crew members on board.
“Approximately three minutes elapsed from the warning of a fowl strike by the management tower to the aircraft’s try and land on the runway once more,” it learn.
Two minutes earlier than the crash, the pilot made a misery name, he added.
When requested whether or not the crash occurred as a result of the runway was too brief — video exhibits the aircraft going off the tarmac and hitting a wall — the official mentioned that was most likely not an element.
“The runway is 2,800 meters lengthy and comparable sized plane have operated on it with none issues,” they mentioned.
“It is unlikely that the accident was brought on by the size of the runway.”
Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of the Muan hearth station, mentioned throughout a briefing that the trigger was “presumed to be a fowl strike mixed with adversarial climate circumstances.”
“However, the precise trigger will probably be introduced following a joint investigation,” Lee mentioned.
Authorities mentioned the households have been ready on the primary flooring of Muan Airport. Many have been seen crying in despair after they heard the information.
Low-cost airline Jeju Air apologized and promised to do all the pieces it may to assist.
“We sincerely apologize for inflicting concern,” the airline mentioned in an announcement posted on its social media channels.
Boeing mentioned in an announcement that it was involved with Jeju Air and was “able to help them.”
