A devastating plane crash involving Jeju Air in South Korea has sparked an outpouring of sympathy from Filipinos, many of whom are deeply saddened by the tragedy. The crash, which took place on the 29th of December, 2024, involved a Jeju Air flight traveling from Seoul to Muan, South Korea. The aircraft, carrying 181 people onboard, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport, a popular gateway for tourists visiting the southwestern part of the country. Early reports indicate that the majority of the passengers and crew feared dead, leaving many in shock and mourning.
This tragic event has not only gripped the attention of South Koreans but has also resonated deeply with people around the world, particularly in the Philippines. Filipinos, known for their close-knit communities and deep emotional bonds, have expressed their heartfelt condolences, and many are reflecting on the shared grief that accompanies such a devastating loss.
A passenger plane carrying 181 people crashed while landing at an airport in southwestern South Korea on Sunday. Officials said most of the people on board were presumed dead, even as two survivors were found and search efforts continued.
The plane, operated by South Korea’s Jeju Air, was landing at Muan International Airport when the crash took place, local fire department officials said. Footage of the accident shows a white-and-orange plane speeding down a runway on its belly until it overshoots the runway, hitting a barrier and exploding into an orange fireball.
The cause was not immediately clear. Officials were investigating what caused the plane to crash land, including the possibility of a bird strike leading to a landing gear malfunction, said Ju Jong-wan, a director of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
As of Sunday afternoon, at least 120 people had been found dead, according to the National Fire Agency. At least two crew members had been rescued from the tail section of the aircraft, and rescuers continued searching through the wreckage. Lee Jeong-hyeon, an official in charge of search and rescue operations at the scene, said the plane had broken into so many pieces that only its tail was identifiable.
“We could not recognize the rest of the fuselage,” he said
Here’s what else to know about the crash:
The plane, operating as Jeju Air flight 7C2216 and flying from Bangkok to Muan, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when the accident happened around 9 a.m. The plane was listed as a Boeing 737-800 by FlightRadar24, a provider of flight data.
Photos from the South Korean news agency Yonhap showed a tail section of the plane separated and engulfed in orange flames with black smoke billowing up. The plane appears to have hit a concrete wall, according to the photos.
The crash was the worst aviation accident involving a South Korean airline since a Korean Air jet slammed into a hill in Guam, a U.S. territory in the western Pacific, in 1997. That crash killed 229 of the 254 people on board.
The crash on Sunday appears to have been the first fatal one for Jeju Air, a low-cost South Korean carrier that was established in 2005 and flies to dozens of countries in Asia. Jeju Air apologized for the crash in a brief statement.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that there were two Thai passengers on the plane. It said it was trying to verify their conditions.
South Korea has been dealing with a political crisis following an ill-fated bid early this month by President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law for the first time in decades. Lawmakers voted on Dec. 14 to impeach Mr. Yoon. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, the acting president, on Sunday instructed his government to mobilize all equipment and personnel available to rescue as many people as possible, his office said.
“The plane in question is very safe and has a good safety record,” said Najmedin Meshkati, a professor of engineering at the University of Southern California who has studied the safety history of the Boeing 737 line. It’s possible the plane’s landing gear did not deploy because of a “maintenance” problem, he said, though he said he would not rule out a bird strike as a cause.
“Maintenance is really one of the most important causes of aviation accidents,” Mr. Meshkati said, adding that the Boeing 737-800’s landing gear is well designed and has a history of reliability.
More than 700 firefighters, police officers, soldiers, coast guards and airport workers have been deployed to the crash site, according to the government.
The Jeju Air plane did not appear to have activated its landing mechanisms, said Keith Tonkin, the managing director of Aviation Projects, an aviation consulting company in Brisbane, Australia, who reviewed video of the crash.
Its landing gear appeared not to have dropped down from under the plane, and the flaps on its wings apparently were not activated for landing, Mr. Tonkin added. “The aircraft was essentially in a flying configuration,” he said. That meant the plane was likely “flying faster than it would normally be in a landing situation.”
The crash appears to be Jeju Air’s first fatal one.
Firefighters at the scene of the crash in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.Credit…Cho Nam-Soo/Yonhap, via Associated Press
The Jeju Air plane crash in Muan on Sunday was unusual for South Korea, a country which has had a strong recent aviation safety record after a spate of deadly air accidents in the 1990s and earlier.
It also appeared to be the first fatal crash for Jeju Air, a popular low-cost South Korean carrier that was founded in 2005 and flies dozens of routes domestically and across Asia.
“We lower our heads in apology to everyone who suffered in the accident,” Jeju Air said in a brief statement posted on its website. “We will do everything we can to deal with this accident.”
Last year, the airline, named after the island of Jeju in the country’s south where it has its headquarters, received a safety grade of A, or “very good,” from the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s annual review of domestic airlines. The score is based on the number of accidents or near accidents. The highest grade any airline got that year was A++, and the lowest was B+.
In 2021, the South Korean authorities investigated Jeju Air after one of its planes flew despite having a defect, according to reports in the domestic news media. The plane had damaged the tip of a wing during landing, but the crew failed to notice the damage, and the plane took off again, the Korea Herald reported. That year, the airline got a C for safety.
It was unlikely that the crash was related to broader aviation safety issues in South Korea, said Keith Tonkin, the managing director of Aviation Projects, an aviation consulting company in Brisbane, Australia. “South Korea’s safety record is very good.”
Credit…Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters
“We could not recognize the rest of the fuselage,” Mr. Lee said, indicating that the missing passengers were scattered with the debris. Both of the two crew members rescued with injuries were found in the tail section, he said.
Credit…Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters
Jeju Air apologized for the crash. “We lower our heads in apology to everyone who suffered in the accident,” it said in a brief statement posted on its website. “We will do everything we can to deal with this accident.”
Credit…Yonhap News Agency, via Reuters
A total of 47 people were found dead in the plane crash, said Kang Won-sik, a spokesman for the National Fire Agency. Two people were rescued, both crew members, he said. Rescuers were searching for the remaining 132 people, he said.
Credit…Yonhap/EPA, via Shutterstock
Two people from the plane have been rescued by fire officials, according to Lee Seong-sil, a Muan Fire Department official. Mr. Lee did not provide details. News1, a local news agency, said that one of the rescued people was a passenger and the other a crew member.
A Global Outpouring of Support
In addition to the Filipino response, people from around the world have expressed their sympathy and support for the victims of the Jeju Air crash. South Korea, in particular, has been overwhelmed with expressions of grief and solidarity from its citizens, many of whom are in mourning for the loss of lives. Memorial services, candlelight vigils, and public displays of support have been organized in Seoul, Muan, and other cities to honor the victims.
International organizations, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), have also expressed their condolences, and air travel associations have pledged their full cooperation with South Korean authorities in investigating the cause of the crash. While investigations are still ongoing, experts have speculated that the adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the disaster, but it is too early to draw definitive conclusions.
The tragedy has underscored the fragility of life and the importance of community in times of crisis. People from all walks of life, from different cultures and backgrounds, have united in their grief, offering comfort and solace to those affected by the crash.
The Role of Social Media in Spreading Sympathy
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Social media has played a significant role in the dissemination of information and the expression of condolences in the wake of the Jeju Air crash. Filipinos, who are known for their active online presence, have been quick to share their feelings of sorrow and sympathy with the victims’ families. Hashtags such as #JejuAirTragedy and #MuanCrash have trended on Twitter, with users sharing stories, prayers, and messages of support.
Social media platforms have also been used to raise awareness about the tragedy, including updates on the search and rescue operations and calls for donations to support the families of the victims. Filipino celebrities and public figures have also joined in offering their condolences, with some calling for a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in the crash.
Moving Forward: Healing and Support
In the aftermath of this tragic event, the people of South Korea, the Philippines, and the wider international community will need to come together to support the victims’ families and ensure that those affected by the crash are given the care and assistance they need. The process of mourning and healing will be long and difficult, but the solidarity expressed by people across the world offers a glimmer of hope in the face of such a devastating loss.
Filipinos, known for their resilience and compassion, will continue to support their fellow countrymen and the people of South Korea during this challenging time. As investigations into the crash continue, the global community will remain united in their efforts to find answers, provide assistance, and offer support to those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
