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Bird Strike Leads to Tragedy: South Korea Faces Deadliest Aviation Disaster at Muan Airport

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In a devastating incident that has shaken South Korea, a passenger plane carrying 175 passengers and six crew members crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport, resulting in 179 fatalities. The crash, which occurred on Sunday at 9:03 am local time (00:03 GMT), marks the country’s worst aviation disaster to date.

The Jeju Air flight, originating from Bangkok, Thailand, encountered catastrophic difficulties during its final approach to the airport, located approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) southwest of Seoul. Investigations indicate that a bird strike caused critical damage to the plane’s landing gear, leading to the tragic accident.

The National Fire Agency confirmed the grim statistics: 179 lives lost, including 85 women, 84 men, and 10 individuals whose genders were unidentifiable due to the severity of the crash. Two crew members were rescued from the wreckage, their survival offering a faint glimmer of hope amid the overwhelming tragedy.

Emergency services battled flames that engulfed the aircraft after the crash, successfully extinguishing the fire. However, efforts to recover survivors were hindered by the extent of the destruction.

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Seoul, emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the incident has been classified as the deadliest aviation accident on South Korean soil. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, with thick black smoke rising from the crash site and rescue teams working tirelessly amidst the wreckage.

Experts suggest that bird strikes, while uncommon, can have catastrophic consequences, particularly if they damage critical systems during high-risk flight phases like landing. The disaster has renewed calls for improved safety measures and wildlife management around airports to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The South Korean government has declared a national day of mourning in honor of the victims. President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his condolences, pledging a thorough investigation and enhanced aviation safety protocols.

Grieving families have gathered at Muan International Airport, supported by crisis counselors and government officials. The tragedy has not only left a nation in shock but also sparked global discussions on aviation safety and emergency response strategies.

As investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this disaster, the focus remains on preventing such a catastrophic loss of life from ever happening again.

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