Breaking News: Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 Crashes at Incheon Airport, South Korea
A passenger plane has overshot the runway at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, resulting in a catastrophic crash, Reuters reported, citing Yonhap News Agency. The Boeing 737-800, operated by South Korean airline Jeju Air, was carrying a total of 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members.
Regrettably, the death toll has been confirmed at 96, with fears that most on board have perished, BBC reported. Two crew members were found alive, as stated by an official spokesperson to Reuters. The incident occurred around 9:20 AM local time during landing from a flight originating in Bangkok.
Emergency services continue to operate at the scene, with officials working to rescue passengers from the rear of the aircraft. The cause of the crash is suspected to be damage to the aircraft’s landing gear. Video footage from the incident shows the plane skidding off the runway, overrunning the end, and colliding into a concrete wall before bursting into flames. Airport authorities suggest the damage may have been caused by a bird strike.
Among those on board were two Thai nationals, with the rest being South Korean citizens. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this distressing time.