AMN / WEB DESK
At least 167 people were killed a South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air plane crashed at Muan International Airport shortly after 9 a.m local time on Sunday.
South Korean fire authorities say 167 people have died in an airplane crash at an airport in the country’s southwest. Government officials say the airplane was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members.
The government officials say the passengers include 173 South Koreans and two Thais.
Footage aired on public broadcaster KBS shows a severely damaged aircraft bursting into flames and black smoke rising. The footage also shows firefighters trying to put out the fire and ambulances arriving at the scene.
Fire department officials earlier said they presume almost everyone aboard except two who were rescued have perished.
They also say the aircraft’s landing gear didn’t work properly and the pilots tried to make a belly landing. They say a bird strike could have caused the accident.
The CEO of Jeju Air has apologized for the plane crash in a news conference.
Kim E-bae said that the company extends its deepest condolences and apologies to the passengers and the victims’ bereaved families.
Kim said that regardless of the cause of the accident, he feels full responsibility as the firm’s CEO.
He said it is difficult to speculate on the cause of the crash at this point, and the company needs to wait for the findings from the government’s investigation.
Kim said his company will make every effort to resolve the situation promptly and provide support to the families of the passengers.
He added that the airline will do its best to determine the cause of the accident in cooperation with the government.
updated at 2:55pm