FOLLOWING the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger jet in South Korea, the CEO of the airline, Kim E-bae, took full responsibility for the incident. The flight, which had 181 people on board, crashed while attempting to land at Musan International Airport in Muan County on Sunday.
The aircraft veered off the runway, struck a fence, and burst into flames. This devastating accident has resulted in the loss of at least 94 lives, with the remainder of the passengers and crew feared dead.
The company expressed deep condolences to the families of those involved and pledged to assist in every way possible during the investigation.
Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim, addressed the tragedy in a heartfelt statement, saying, “Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO.” The airline company has promised to spare no effort in dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
They are working alongside authorities to determine the cause of the crash.
The plane, which had been operational for 15 years without any prior accidents, was returning to South Korea from Bangkok when the accident occurred. Most of the passengers on board were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals among them.
Authorities have confirmed that only two survivors remain from the crash. According to reports, the majority of passengers were ejected from the aircraft after the collision with the wall.
The crash site was described as nearly unrecognisable, with the plane almost completely destroyed. Efforts to recover the remains of the victims are ongoing and are expected to take considerable time.
South Jeolla authorities have increased emergency alerts to the highest level, and all available rescue teams have been dispatched to the site of the accident. Acting President Choi Sang-mok arrived at the scene, instructing officials to make every effort in the search and rescue operations.
Initial investigations suggest that the crash may have been caused by a landing gear failure, which might have been triggered by a bird strike. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, with an on-site investigation being carried out to confirm the exact cause.
An emergency meeting was convened by the presidential office to discuss the government’s response to the tragedy. The National Police Agency has also mobilised all available resources to support the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
This tragedy has raised serious concerns about the safety measures and procedures followed by airlines operating in the region. The devastating crash has left the nation in shock and has brought attention to the need for improved aviation safety protocols, especially in emergency situations.
Jeju Air’s commitment to fully cooperating with authorities and supporting the victims’ families during this difficult time is crucial as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
