A plane crashed at Muan Airport in South Korea, killing 179 people. The plane returning from Bangkok crashed into a concrete fence during landing and burst into flames. A special commission is supposed to investigate the cause of the tragedy, but the first hypotheses have already emerged. In particular, a message sent by one of the passengers just before the disaster sheds new light on the event.
Sunday’s accident at Muan Airport was the deadliest air accident involving a South Korean airline in nearly 30 years, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Transport.
The incident occurred early in the morning Polish time, while a Jeju Air plane was landing. The plane first skidded off the runway, then hit a concrete fence and burst into flames.
Plane crash at Muan Airport. Investigators read text messages from one of the victims
Muan City Fire Brigade Chief Lee Jeong-hyun announced that they are currently analyzing various possible causes of the disaster, including: Weather conditions. It is also known that shortly before the tragedy, the air traffic control tower warned pilots about a possible collision with a bird.
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The theory that the plane collided with a bird also appeared to be supported by a text message sent by one of the passengers. According to Reuters, the victim sent a message to a relative saying, “A bird is stuck in the wing of the plane.”
“Should I say the last word?” – wrote the sender.
Korean drama. 179 people died
Documents posted online chronicle the dramatic events that left 179 people dead. Only two crew members survived, almost all of whom were Korean nationals. Acting President Choi Sang-mok announced that nationwide mourning would continue until January 4.
The service has already successfully recovered flight data and cockpit voice recorders from black boxes. Two minutes before the crash, the pilot managed to send a “mayday” signal.
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Thirty-two fire trucks and several helicopters were dispatched to extinguish the fire at Muan Airport. A total of more than 15,000 people participated in firefighting efforts. firefighters, police officers, soldiers.
According to authorities, the victims of the disaster were 84 men and 85 women. The gender of the 10 people who died could not be determined based on the condition of their bodies. The youngest passenger on the plane was a child aged just 3 years old.
A crowd of distraught Koreans gathered at the airport, mainly relatives of the victims. At first they waited in suspense for news about their relatives, then in grief they laid out flowers and lit candles.
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