After the crash of a passenger jet carrying 181 people, which burst into flames following skidding off the runway and striking a wall at an airport in Muan County, South Korea on Sunday. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae issued a statement expressing regret and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims families, as per Yonhap News Agency.
“Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO,” Kim E-bae stated.
Meanwhile, the Jeju Air Company, pledged of sparing no effort to cope with the crash. The company stated in a statement, “Jeju Air will spare no effort to respond to the accident.”
“We are currently working to determine the exact cause and details of the situation,” a company official stated. “The aircraft has been in operation for 15 years with no history of accidents,” as per Yonhap report.
Authorities believe that all but two of the people onboard are feared to have been killed.
The incident took place at 9:07 am (local time) when a Jeju Air flight skidded off the runway while landing and crashed into a fence at Musan International Airport in Muan County, around 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul
The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was returning from Bangkok. Most of the of passengers were South Korean nationals, with two Thai nationals also among them. The authorities have confirmed 94 fatalities from the accident so far.
“After the plane collided with the wall, passengers were thrown out of the aircraft. The chances of survival are extremely low. The aircraft has almost completely been destroyed, and it is difficult to identify the deceased. We are in the process of recovering the remains, which will take time,” a firefighting official stated, as per Yonhap report.
In response to the tragedy, South Jeolla officials raised emergency alerts to the highest level and deployed all available rescue and police teams to the crash site.
Choi Sang-mok, acting President arrived at the crash site around noon, directing officials to make all-out efforts for search operations. Choi further extended heartfelt condolences to the victims family members and assured to offer them all possible government support, according to Yonhap report.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a potential landing gear failure, possibly triggered by a bird strike, could have contributed to the crash. Authorities have initiated an on-site investigation to determine the exact cause.
The presidential office declared an emergency meeting of senior officials, chaired by Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk, at 11:30 am (local time) to discuss the government’s response.
Acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young further instructed officials to mobilize all available resources and collaborate with firefighting and other relevant agencies to assist with the rescue efforts, according to Yonhap report.