What we know about Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea

A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to South Korea crashed on landing Sunday, leaving 151 people confirmed dead and just two survivors. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with 181 people aboard, was attempting to land at Muan airport when it went down.

Officials said the plane received a warning about a bird strike during its first landing attempt around 9:00 am (midnight GMT). The pilot declared a "mayday" and made a second attempt, but the plane’s landing gear appeared not to deploy.

Dramatic footage showed the aircraft skidding along the runway, trailing smoke, before slamming into a wall at the end of the tarmac and bursting into flames.

Firefighters carry out extinguishing operations on an aircraft which drove off runway at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, December 29, 2024. Reuters

Rescue teams managed to pull two survivors from the wreckage—both flight attendants—though officials indicated there was "little chance of survival" for the others.

The wreckage was nearly destroyed in the crash, and more than 100 emergency responders were sent to the scene, including military personnel.

Authorities suspect a combination of bird strikes and adverse weather conditions could have caused the accident. However, the runway, measuring 2,800 meters, is not thought to have been a factor, as similar-sized aircraft had landed there without incident.

The crash marks South Korea's first fatal accident for Jeju Air, which has a strong safety record. A similar-sized Bombardier Q400 had veered off the runway in 2007, but that incident did not result in fatalities.

Relatives of passengers of the aircraft that crashed after it went off the runway, gather at Muan International Airport, in Muan, South Korea, December 29, 2024. Reuters

Families of the victims gathered at Muan airport, some in tears as they waited for news. The country’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, who is in office during a political crisis, declared the crash site a special disaster zone and convened an emergency response meeting.

Investigation teams are working to determine the exact cause of the crash, which has shocked a nation known for its stringent aviation safety standards.