Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Air traffic controllers have warned the pilots of the plane that crashed at a South Korean airport, killing 179 passengers and crew, of possible bird strikes before he fell.
The authorities confirmed it that all 175 passengers, as well as four of the six crew members, died in the incident at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning. The only two survivors were the crew who were sitting in the back of the plane at the time of the crash.
It is the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil in its history.
Jeju Air flight burst into flames after that veering off the runway and entering the ua the wall. Footage showed the horrific moment the overcrowded plane burst into flames.
The Ministry of Transport confirmed that air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the ill-fated flight of the danger of bird strikes just three minutes before the plane landed. The pilot then declared his death a minute later before attempting to land the plane.
But the experts did expressed skepticism that a collision with a bird could cause such damage. An investigation into the disaster is now underway, and the black box on the plane has been found.
Survivors able to communicate in hospital
A 33-year-old Jeju Air flight attendant told doctors that he had already been rescued when he woke up, Yonhap news agency reports.
He was first taken to a hospital in Mokpo, about 25 km (15.5 miles) south of the airport, but was later transferred to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in the capital.
“He is fully able to communicate,” Mr Yu said. “No signs of memory loss or anything like that yet.”
Lee was sitting in the back of the plane and remembers the descent, but nothing after that. When he got to the hospital, he simply asked, “What happened?”
The survivor, who suffered multiple fractures, is receiving special care due to the risk of sequelae, including complete paralysis, the news agency added.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 20:28
Key dates fall
Below are some key moments from the Jeju Air plane crash earlier today, according to South Korea’s transport ministry. They show the local time in South Korea.
08:57 am – The control tower issued a bird strike warning
08:59 am – First call
09:03 am – Runway crash
11:30 am – The flight data recorder has been recovered
14:24 – The dictaphone in the cockpit has been restored
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 19:59
Full report: South Korea plane crash kills 179, Jeju Air flight crashes into wall
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 19:19
The father of the murdered woman says the tragedy is unbelievable
Jeon Je-young continues to play a video of the plane with his daughter and 180 other people on board hitting a wall and bursting into flames at a South Korean airport.
His daughter Mi-sook died on the ship. He still can’t believe it.
“When I saw the video of the crash, it seemed like the plane went out of control,” said 71-year-old Jeon Reuters. “The pilots probably had no choice but to do it. My daughter, who is only in her mid-40s, ended up like this. This is incredible.”
Mi-sook was a warm-hearted child, he said. She brought food and a calendar for the coming year to his house on December 21, his last brief moment with her.
“She is much nicer than my son, sometimes she asks me out for a meal,” Jeon recalled, showing recent conversations with his daughter on his cell phone.
Jeon’s daughter was on her way home after traveling with friends to Bangkok for the Christmas holidays. She leaves behind a devastated family, including her husband and teenage daughter.
“The water near the airport is not deep. There are softer fields here than this cement runway. Why couldn’t the pilot land there instead?” Jeon said.
“She was almost home, so she (saw) no need to call the family (to leave a final message). She thought she was coming home,” Jeon said.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 18:59
The South Korean president declared a national period of mourning
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has announced a period of national mourning following the deadly plane crash, local media reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy,” Choi said, according to Yonhap news agency.
He declared seven days of national mourning, starting on Sunday and ending at midnight on Saturday.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 18:39
South Korea’s Ministry of Health provides counseling services to bereaved families
South Korea’s health ministry sent funeral directors to help with funeral arrangements and planned to offer professional counseling to the injured and victims’ family members, Yonhap news agency reported.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 18:19
US investigators are helping South Korea investigate the crash
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading a team of U.S. investigators to assist South Korean aviation authorities in investigating the Jeju Air crash in Muan, the agency announced.
Aircraft maker Boeing BA.N and the Federal Aviation Administration are involved, the NTSB said.
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 17:59
Why did the South Korean Jeju Air plane crash, killing 179 people? Experts question claims of a bird flurry
My colleague Tom Watling reports:
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 17:39
Keir Starmer pays tribute
Sir Keir Starmer has sent his “deepest condolences” to the victims of the South Korean plane crash that killed 179 people.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash in Muan,” the prime minister said.
“I pay tribute to the work of the emergency services and my thoughts are with the people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand at this terrible time.”
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 17:17
King Charles and Queen ‘deeply saddened’ by accident
The king paid tribute to the victims of the plane crash in South Korea that claimed the lives of 179 people.
“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the horrific air crash in Muan, which resulted in such a heavy loss of life,” the king said in a statement.
“As the people of the Republic of Korea mourn this disaster, the families and loved ones of all the victims are in our prayers.”
Jabed Ahmed29 December 2024 16:57