Air traffic controllers warned pilots on a plane that crashed at an airport in South Korea, killing 179 passengers and crew, of a possible bird strike moments before it came down.
Authorities have confirmed that all 175 passengers, as well as four of the six crew, were killed in the incident at Muan international airport on Sunday morning. The only two survivors were crew sitting at the back of the plane at the time of the crash.
It is the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil in its history.
The Jeju Air flight erupted in flames after veering off the runway and crashing into a wall. Footage showed the horrifying moment the packed plane burst into flames.
The transport ministry has confirmed that air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the ill-fated flight about a bird strike risk just three minutes before the plane landed. The pilot then declared a mayday one minute later before trying to land the plane.
But experts have expressed scepticism that a collision with a bird could cause such damage. An investigation is now taking place into the disaster with the black box to the plane being recovered.
Key Points
- South Korean president announces national period of mourning
- Jeju Air CEO apologises for plane crash at airport in South Korea
- King Charles and Queen ‘profoundly saddened’ by crash
- Three-year-old boy youngest of 179 killed
- At least 179 people killed, say authorities
Survivor able to communicate in hospital
20:28
Jabed Ahmed
A 33-year-old flight attendant from the Jeju Air plane told doctors he had already been rescued when he woke up, according to news agency Yonhap.
He was first taken to a hospital in Mokpo, about 25km (15.5 miles) south of the airport, but was later transferred to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in the capital.
“He’s fully able to communicate,” Mr Ju said. “There’s no indication yet of memory loss or such.”
Lee was sitting in the back of the plane and remembers touching down, but nothing after that. When he arrived at the hospital, he simply asked: “What happened?”
The survivor, who suffered multiple fractures, is receiving special care due to the risk of after-effects, including total paralysis, the news agency added.
Key timings of the crash
19:59
Jabed Ahmed
Below, we have some key timings of the Jeju Air plane crash earlier today, according to South Korea’s transport ministry. They show local times in South Korea.
08:57 a.m. - Control tower issued a bird strike warning
08:59 a.m. - Mayday call
09:03 a.m. - Runway crash
11:30 a.m. - Flight data recorder recovered
2:24 p.m. - Cockpit voice recorder recovered
Full report: Plane crash kills 179 in South Korea as Jeju Air flight hits wall
19:19
Jabed Ahmed
Father of woman killed says the tragedy is unbelievable
18:59
Jabed Ahmed
Jeon Je-young keeps playing the video of the plane with his daughter and another 180 people on board slamming into a wall and bursting into flames at a South Korean airport.
His daughter Mi-sook died on board. He still can’t believe it.
“When I saw the accident video, the plane seemed out of control,” 71-year-old Jeon told 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 unbelievable.”
Mi-sook was a warm-hearted child, he said. She brought some food and next year’s calendar to his house on 21 December, which became his last brief moment with her.
“She is much nicer than my son, sometimes asking me to go out for a meal,” Jeon recalled, showing his last exchanges with his daughter on his mobile phone.
Jeon’s daughter had been on her way home after travelling with friends to Bangkok for the Christmas holiday. She leaves behind a devastated family, including a husband and teenage daughter.
“The water near the airport is not deep. Here are softer fields 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 any final message). She thought she was coming home,” Jeon said.
South Korean president announces national period of mourning
18:39
Jabed Ahmed
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok has announced a period of national mourning over the deadly plane crash, local media reported.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy,” Choi said, according to Yonhap news agency.
He declared a seven-day national mourning period, starting Sunday, and lasting until midnight on Saturday.
South Korean health ministry to provide counseling services to greiving families
18:19
Jabed Ahmed
The South Korean health ministry has sent funeral directors to help with funeral preparations and planned to offer professional counselling to the injured and family members of the victims, according to Yonhap news agency.
US investigators help South Korea in probe after crash
17:59
Jabed Ahmed
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading a team of US investigators to help South Korea‘s aviation authority in its investigation of the Jeju Air crash in Muan, the agency said.
Planemaker Boeing BA.N and the Federal Aviation Administration are participating, NTSB said.
Why did the South Korean Jeju Air flight crash, killing 179? Experts question bird strike claims
17:39
Jabed Ahmed
My colleague Tom Watling reports:
Keir Starmer pays tribute
17:17
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has sent his “deepest condolences” to the victims of a plane crash in South Korea which killed 179 people.
“I send 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 responders and my thoughts are with the people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand at this terrible time.”
King Charles and Queen ‘profoundly saddened’ by crash
16:57
Jabed Ahmed
The King has paid tribute to the victims of a plane crash in South Korea which claimed the lives of 179 people.
“My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous 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.”
Lammy offers condolences after plane crash in South Korea kills at least 177
16:37
Tom Watling
Flying remains extremely safe despite latest plane tragedies over Christmas
16:08
Tom Watling
Plane crash kills 179 in South Korea as Jeju Air flight hits wall
15:39
Tom Watling
Chinese president expresses condolence to South Korea
15:11
Tom Watling
Chinese president Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to South Korea following the crash.
In a post on Telegram, Xi sent a message to acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok expressing shock at the large number of victims, China’s state-run CCTV said.
“On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I express my deep condolences to the victims and my sincerest consolations to the victims’ families, and wish for the swift recovery of the injured,” he was quoted as saying.
We have some information on the Jeju Air passengers
14:47
Tom Watling
Of those on board, 82 were men and 93 were women, ranging in age from as young as three to 78 years old. Many were in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
Survivor able to communicate in hospital
14:21
Barney Davis
A 33-year-old flight attendant from the Jeju Air plane told doctors he had already been rescued when he woke up, according to news agency Yonhap.
He was first taken to a hospital in Mokpo, about 25km (15.5 miles) south of the airport, but was later transferred to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in the capital.
“He’s fully able to communicate,” Mr Ju said. “There’s no indication yet of memory loss or such.”
The survivor, who suffered multiple fractures, is receiving special care due to the risk of after-effects, including total paralysis, the news agency added.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz issues message of support to South Korea
14:13
Tom Watling
We have received the terrible news of a plane crash in South Korea with many fatalities. Our condolences go out to the families of those killed in the crash and we wish those injured a speedy recovery.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) December 29, 2024
Jeju Air CEO bows in apology after South Korea deadly plane crash
13:48
Tom Watling
In Pictures: Grieving families told all Jeju Air passengers have been killed
13:29
Tom Watling
Key timings of the crash
13:09
Tom Watling
Below, we have some key timings of the Jeju Air plane crash earlier today, according to South Korea’s transport ministry. They show local times to South Korea.
08:57 a.m. - Control tower issued a bird strike warning
08:59 a.m. - Mayday call
09:03 a.m. - Runway crash
11:30 a.m. - Flight data recorder recovered
2:24 p.m. - Cockpit voice recorder recovered
Family of Jeju Air victims express anger at authorities
13:00
Tom Watling
The families of those killed during the Jeju Air plane crash this morning have reportedly expressed anger at the way the authorities are handling the situation.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reports that at around 3.30pm local time, the government began announcing the names of the then 22 people confirmed dead. That figure is now at 88.
But some of the people there, gathered to find out information about their loved ones, protests that the names did not align with those disclosed earlier in the day.
“Is it too much to ask for a list of the dead to be put up clearly along with the current status of the accident?” said one family member.
Some people demanded they be allowed to visit the site of the crash so that they could identify their family members.
Sister of Jeju Air victim mourns her sibling
12:57
Tom Watling
A 33-year-old woman identified by her surname Kim has said her sister was on the ill-fated Jeju Air flight that crashed his morning.
“My sister was on that plane,” she told South Korean outlet Yonhap. “She’s had so many hardships and gone traveling because her situation was only just beginning to improve.”
‘I can’t believe the entire family has just disappeared’
12:47
Tom Watling
The family member of some of the victims of this morning’s Jeju Air plane crash has said his “heart aches so much” following reports that all passengers aboard the flight have been declared dead.
Maeng Gi-su, 78, told the BBC his nephew and his nephew’s two sons had been on the flight.
He said they had gone to celebrate the youngest taking his college entrance exams. Their father had taken them as a treat.
“I can’t believe the entire family has just disappeared. My heart aches so much”, he says.
Authorities have so far identified 88 people.
12:43
Tom Watling
At least 88 bodies have been identified so far as emergency personnel continued to search through the crash site, officials have said.
All but two of the 181 people aboard the Jeju Air flight have been declared dead, however.
Family of Jeju Air flight told there was no hope of survival
12:42
Tom Watling
The family of those killed during this morning’s Jeju Air plane crash have been told there was no hope of survival during a briefing.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports that one of the people gathered at the airport to listen to an update from officials asked: “Is there no possibility of survival at all?”
“Regrettably, it appears so,” chief of Muan fire department Lee Jeong-hyeon answered.
Update: All passengers killed on Jeju Air flight, say authorities
12:29
Tom Watling
All 175 passengers aboard the Jeju Air flight that crashes this morning have been killed, local authorities have announced.
The total death toll is 179. Two of the six crew members were the only survivors. They had been sitting at the back of the plane.
Lammy issues statement over South Korea crash
12:19
Tom Watling
Deeply saddened by news of the plane crash overnight in South Korea.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) December 29, 2024
My heartfelt condolences go out to the people of South Korea and Thailand, and all those that have lost loved ones.
What do we know about the aircraft involved?
11:59
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent
The Boeing 737-800 involved in the accident was originally ordered by Ryanair and delivered to the airline’s Dublin base on 4 September 2009. It flew for the Irish carrier for seven years. In November 2016 it was withdrawn from use. Ryanair maintains a younger fleet than many airlines.
The 737 was returned to the lessor SMBC Aviation Capital. In February 2017 it was leased to Jeju Air, and flew from Dublin via Baku to Seoul Gimpo airport.
Since then it has been used for high-frequency regional flights. In the week before the accident, the aircraft flew mainly to and from Muan and the holiday island of Jeju. Destinations included Bangkok, Nagasaki, Taipei, Kota Kinabalu and Beijing.
Two days before the crash, the Boeing 737 was on a routine flight from Jeju to Beijing when it diverted to South Korea’s main airport, Incheon. The flight later continued to the Chinese capital.
South Korea to observe a weeklong mourning period
11:48
Tom Watling
South Korea will observe a weeklong mourning period to commemorate those killed on the Jeju Air flight earlier today, the acting president Choi Sang-mok has announced.
Moment Jeju Air plane skids along South Korea runway before crash
11:29
Tom Watling
Rescuers assess Jeju Air crash site at South Korea’s Muan airport
11:00
Tom Watling
South Korea's suspended Yoon offers condolences after plane crash
10:25
Tom Watling
South Korea‘s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, offered “deep condolences” to the families of those who died in the plane crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday.
Mr Yoon was suspended after declaring martial law in South Korea earlier this month.
Update: Death toll increases to 177
10:13
Tom Watling
The death toll has increased yet again, this time to 177.
As a reminder, there were 181 people on board, six of which were crew members.
Only two people are known to have survived. They were a male and a female, both part of the crew, who had been sitting at the back of the plane.
Everything we know so far about the South Korea plane crash
10:04
Tom Watling
Emergency workers assess Jeju Air crash site at South Korea’s Muan airport
09:41
Tom Watling
Update: Death toll rises again to 174
09:18
Tom Watling
The official death toll has risen again to 174, say the National Fire Agency.
There were 181 on board. Only two people are known to have survived.
South Korean emergency services say they are ‘doing their best’
09:15
Tom Watling
South Korea’s National Fire Agency has issued a statement saying they are doing their best to rescue and recover victims of today’s plane crash.
They said the crash triggered the issuing of response level 3, which means mobilisation is need to scale up the response.
Currently, more than 1,500 emergency workers have been sent to the site, while a special disaster zone is being enforced.
“We will do our best to secure people and recover from the accident until the end,” the fire agency wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
BREAKING: Death toll surges to 167
08:49
Arpan Rai
The death toll from the Jeju Air plane crash at South Korean airport this morning has risen to 167, fire officials say.
Death toll rises to 151 in South Korea crash
08:37
Arpan Rai
At least 151 people were killed this morning in South Korea after a passenger plane burst into flames.
The death toll includes 71 women, 71 men and nine others whose genders weren’t immediately identifiable — died in the fire, the fire agency said. The toll is expected to rise further as the rest of the people aboard the plane remain missing about six hours after the incident.
The Jeju Air plane skidded off a runway at Muan International airport and slammed into a concrete fence when its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy.
Family members wailed as officials announced the names of some victims at a lounge in the Muan airport.
Crashed Jeju Air plane’s flight data recorder retrieved
08:26
Arpan Rai
Senior transport ministry official Joo Jong-wan said workers have retrieved the flight data recorder from the plane’s black box and are still looking for the cockpit voice recording device.
He earlier said that government investigators arrived at the site to investigate the cause of the crash and fire.Emergency officials in Muan said the plane’s landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned.
Watch: Moment Jeju Air plane skids along South Korea runway before crash
07:55
Arpan Rai
South Korea’s interim president reaches plane crash site
07:51
Arpan Rai
South Korean acting president Choi Sang-mok, named interim leader of the country on Friday in an ongoing political crisis, arrived at the scene of the accident and said the government was putting all its resources into dealing with the crash.
The interim president had earlier ordered officials to employ all available resources to rescue the passengers and crew before he headed to Muan.
Authorities have confirmed at least 127 dead in the Jeju Air plane crash and only two crew members have reportedly been rescued.
Jeju Air CEO apologises with folded hands, takes ‘full responsibility'
07:36
Arpan Rai
In a televised news conference, Kim E-bae, Jeju Air’s president, bowed with other senior company officials as he apologised to bereaved families and said he takes “full responsibility” for the incident.
Mr Kim said the company hadn’t identified any mechanical problems with the aircraft following regular checkups and that he would wait for the results of government investigations into the cause of the incident.
The crashed air carrier Jeju Air has issued a statement expressing its “deep apology” over the crash and said it will do its “utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident”.
South Korean officials look into cause of plane crash
07:30
Arpan Rai
Officials are looking into various possibilities about what caused the Jeju Air plane to crash, including whether the aircraft was struck by birds, said Lee Jeong-hyeon, chief of the Muan fire station.
The plane was completely destroyed, with only the tail assembly remaining recognizable among the wreckage, Mr Lee said.
According to the transport ministry officials, early assessment of communication records show the airport control tower issued a bird strike warning to the plane shortly before it intended to land and gave its pilot permission to land in a different area.
The pilot sent out a distress signal shortly before the plane went past the runway and skidded across a buffer zone before hitting the wall, the officials said.Senior transport ministry official Joo Jong-wan said workers have retrieved the flight data recorder from the plane’s black box and are still looking for the cockpit voice recording device.
He earlier said that government investigators arrived at the site to investigate the cause of the crash and fire.Emergency officials in Muan said the plane’s landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned.
Photos: Rescue teams reach plane crash site at Muan airport
07:10
Arpan Rai
Photos: Jeju Air plane wreckage seen on tarmac after deadly crash
06:23
Arpan Rai
BREAKING: 120 killed in plane crash
06:05
Arpan Rai
The death toll from South Korean plane crash stands at 120, the country’s national fire agency said.
The Jeju Air passenger flight had 181 passengers onboard.
Death toll increases to 96 in South Korea plane crash
05:56
Arpan Rai
The death toll in the South Korea plane crash has risen to a total of 96 as officials expect the casualties to rise further.
At least 96 people — 48 women and 47 men — died in the fire, the fire agency said. The gender of one dead person wasn’t immediately verified, it said.
Emergency workers pulled out two people, both crew members, to safety, and local health officials said they remain conscious. The fire agency deployed 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to contain the fire, it said.
The National Fire Agency said rescuers raced to pull people from the Jeju Air passenger plane carrying 181 people at the airport in the town of Muan, about 290km (180 miles) south of Seoul.
The transport ministry identified the plane as a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet and said the crash happened at 9.03am local time.
Jeju Air CEO apologises for plane crash at airport in South Korea
05:50
Arpan Rai
The CEO of South Korean airline Jeju Air apologised to the victims of today’s plane crash that has killed at least 85 people.
In a short media briefing, CEO Kim E-bae said that supporting the bereaved was a top priority for now.
Boeing offers condolences after deadly South Korea airliner crash
05:24
Arpan Rai
Boeing offered condolences and said it is in touch with South Korea’s Jeju Air after the deadly crash of an airliner this morning.
The crash involved a Boeing-made 737-800, according to Jeju Air.
— The Boeing Company (@Boeing) December 29, 2024
Death toll rises to 85 as plane veers off runway in South Korea
05:23
Arpan Rai
Visuals of the crash showed the plane landing on its belly, leaving a trail of grey smoke as the landing gear remained shut. The plane, engulfed in thick pillows of black smoke, collided head-on with a concrete wall at the end of the strip.
The time of the crash was confirmed as 9.03am local time, the transport ministry said.
Emergency officials have said they are examining the cause of the fire as initial signs showed the plane’s landing gear likely malfunctioned.
The plane was returning from Bangkok and included two Thai nationals, officials from the transport ministry said.
Two rescued in Jeju Air plane crash
05:15
Arpan Rai
Two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the burning plane, Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a briefing. The fire was extinguished by 1pm, Mr Lee said.
“Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognise,” he said.
Yonhap news agency cited a fire official as saying most of 175 passengers and six crew were presumed dead.
Authorities have switched from rescue to recovery operations and because of the force of the impact, are searching nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane, the official added.
The two crew were being treated at hospitals with medium to severe injuries, said the head of the local public health centre.
At least 85 feared dead in South Korea plane crash
05:12
Arpan Rai
At least 85 people were killed when an airliner landed without wheels, veering off the runway and erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at South Korea‘s Muan International Airport this morning, the national fire agency said.
Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 181 people on board, was attempting to land shortly after 9am (0000 GMT) at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea‘s transport ministry said.
The ministry also confirmed the casualties in the deadliest air accident involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades.
04:57
Arpan Rai
Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the South Korea plane crash on Sunday, 29 December 2024.
