179 Lives Lost in Jeju Air Plane Crash in Muan: Grief and Outrage in South Korea
The Jeju Air plane crash in Muan has left South Korea in mourning as 179 lives were tragically lost, marking one of the nation’s worst aviation disasters. The accident has gripped the nation, as details emerge of the harrowing moments leading up to the crash and the anguish of the families awaiting news of their loved ones at the airport.
A chilling text message shared by a passenger moments before the accident highlights the dire circumstances onboard. “Should I say my last words?” read the message sent to a family member at 9 a.m. through KakaoTalk. The passenger reported a bird strike to the plane’s wing and revealed the crew’s struggle to land. When asked about the situation’s duration, the passenger replied a minute later, “Just now. Should I make a will?”
At Muan Airport, the anguish of waiting families was palpable. Around 100 individuals gathered in the meeting room, seeking updates on their loved ones. Many expressed their sorrow and frustration over the lack of timely information. “My sister was on that plane,” said a grieving woman in her 30s, identified only by her surname, Kim. “She had faced so many struggles and was just beginning to see better days.”
The firefighting team’s update at 1 p.m. brought little solace. Lee Jeong-hyeon, the chief of the Muan Fire Department, delivered the devastating news that most of the 181 onboard were presumed dead. “Is there no possibility of survival at all?” one family member desperately asked. Lee regretfully responded, “It appears so,” bowing his head in acknowledgment of the tragedy.
Amid the heartbreak, some family members expressed outrage at the response of the authorities. Complaints ranged from conflicting names on released lists to delays in obtaining information. “Is it too much to ask for a list of the dead to be put up clearly along with the current status of the accident?” one distraught individual questioned. Many also sought permission to visit the crash site to identify and mourn their loved ones personally.
Emerging videos of the crash show the plane skidding off the runway and crashing into the airport fence. A birdstrike shortly before landing is suspected of causing the failure of the landing gear. In one clip, flames are visible on the aircraft’s wing moments before the disaster, highlighting the severity of the situation.
This devastating crash resulted in 179 fatalities and left only two survivors, plunging the nation into grief and sparking demands for answers. As investigations continue, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the need for rigorous safety measures in aviation.
