The tragic crash of a jet at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning has left more than 170 passengers dead. The Jeju Air jet, carrying 181 people and returning from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed into a wall after leaving the runway. While two passengers miraculously survived, the rest tragically lost their lives in the accident.

It is believed that the incident may have been caused by a bird strike and severe weather conditions. The investigation is ongoing, with experts exploring various factors that may have contributed to the disaster.

The plane was attempting to land at Muan International Airport around 09:00 local time when the pilot received a bird strike warning from air traffic control. After attempting to hold off, the pilot eventually declared a Mayday and was allowed to land from the opposite direction. Reports from the scene suggest that a bird may have been stuck in the wing, causing difficulties with the landing process.

Videos from the crash site show the jet landing without its landing gear, sliding down the runway, and ultimately crashing into a wall before catching fire. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang followed by a series of explosions as the plane went up in flames. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the blaze.

Despite the devastation, it is fortunate that two individuals were able to survive the crash. They were found in the tail of the plane and promptly transported to a hospital for treatment. Recovery efforts have involved a large number of emergency workers, including firefighters and police officers, who are tirelessly combing the runway for plane debris and victims.

The crash has been declared the deadliest jet disaster in South Korea, with 179 fatalities, including four crew members and all passengers on board. The victims ranged in age from a 3-year-old child to a 78-year-old adult, with five victims under the age of 10. The National Fire Agency of South Korea has been working diligently to identify and notify the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

In response to the crash, Acting President Choi Sang-mok has declared a special disaster zone in Muan, providing central government support to the local administration and victims. All flights at Muan International Airport have been canceled as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.

The families of the victims have gathered at the airport, where authorities have set up tents for private grieving and are working to identify and notify the families of the deceased. The slow process of body identification has caused frustration among some family members, who are seeking closure and answers as they mourn their loved ones.

Jeju Air, the airline responsible for the flight, has issued an apology to the families of the victims and emphasized that this was the first fatal incident in the airline’s history. Boeing has also expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

As the nation mourns the loss of so many lives, South Korea’s acting president has offered his condolences to the victims and their families. The government has announced plans to lower flags at government offices for seven days of national mourning in honor of the victims.

As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities are working tirelessly to determine the exact cause of the disaster and ensure that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.