At Least 177 Killed in Jeju Air Crash at Muan International Airport

South Korea has declared a seven-day national mourning period after a catastrophic plane crash at Muan International Airport killed at least 177 people. The Jeju Air flight, traveling from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members, crash-landed at 9:03 am local time on Sunday, making it one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.

The National Fire Agency confirmed the deaths of 177 individuals, including 84 women, 82 men, and 11 others whose genders were not immediately identifiable. Only two survivors, both crew members, have been rescued. The crash is believed to have been caused by a "bird strike," which led to a malfunction in the plane’s landing gear.

The Boeing 737-800 jet, 15 years old, reportedly skidded on its belly along the runway before a massive explosion occurred. Eyewitness accounts and images revealed a catastrophic fire engulfing the aircraft. Due to the intense blaze, only 65 of the victims have been identified so far.

South Korea’s Acting President, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an "all-out rescue effort," mobilizing all available resources to assist at the scene. Jeju Air issued an apology, promising full cooperation in the investigation and support for the victims' families.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences and ordered an immediate investigation into whether Thai nationals were among the victims.

This is Jeju Air’s first fatal accident since its establishment in 2005, though the airline faced a runway incident in 2007.

The tragedy occurs amidst political turbulence in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial imposition of martial law and impeachment proceedings.