At 9 PM on December 29, South Korean authorities confirmed 179 fatalities in the Muan International Airport plane crash, with only two survivors. The accident occurred at 9 AM when a Jeju Air flight carrying 175 passengers and six crew members skidded off the runway during landing.
The victims included 84 men, 85 women, and 10 individuals whose identities remain unknown. One surviving crew member, a 33-year-old man, is receiving intensive care.
The aircraft’s black box was partially damaged, potentially delaying the investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials estimate the decryption process could take up to a month.
President Joe Biden expressed condolences, pledging U.S. support for South Korea. An investigative team from the U.S. will assist in the ongoing probe.
