It all happened very quickly, it seems. A Boeing 737 of low-cost airline Jeju Air operating an international flight experienced serious trouble and attempted an emergency landing without lowering wheels at the airport in the city of Muan, South Korea, but crashed into a fence and burst into flames. According to the company, 181 people were on board the aircraft, including six crew members. The accident happened at nine in the morning on Sunday (two in the morning, Greek time).

By late afternoon local time, the fire department has officially confirmed the number of dead at 167. Two of the occupants were retrieved alive, although seriously injured, from the tail section of the aircraft. However, there are fears that the number of victims will eventually reach 179 dead. It was the worst aviation tragedy to hit the Korean peninsula since 1997, when a Korean Airlines plane went down and crashed in the jungle of Guam, killing all 228 people on board.

“Clash with birds in the air”?

First estimates on the causes of the accident from Lee Jong-hyun, head of the fire department in the city of Muan, 290 kilometers southwest of the capital Seoul: “We believe that the accident is due to either a collision with birds in flight, or worsening weather conditions. Until 12.41 today, 80 dead were counted, while we also have two injured, who were transferred to nearby hospitals”. A statement from the authorities claims that the control tower had informed the pilot about flocks of birds, which could cause problems in the flight.

“The case seems particularly complicated, as both the aircraft and the airline are supposed to have good safety standards,” says an aviation analyst at the American CNN network. Rescuers continue their work at Moan airport. “We are doing everything we can to locate any other survivors,” says fire chief Lee Jong-hwan. “Having seen the scene of the accident, all I can say is that I feel deeply saddened.”

‘Sorry’ from Jeju Air CEO

Low-cost airline Jeju was founded in 2005 and operates domestic routes in South Korea, as well as flights to and from Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. It is the first time he has been involved in a fatal accident. However, in August 2007, an aircraft of the same company ran off the runway at Busan airport, resulting in minor injuries to seven of the passengers.

The CEO of Jeju Air, Kim E Bae, apologized, however, pointing out that it is still too early for reliable information to emerge on the causes of the air tragedy. “First of all I would like to apologize to everyone who appreciates Jeju Air, but most of all I would like to express my apologies and condolences to the families of the victims,” ​​he said. “At the moment, it is difficult to make estimates on the causes of the accident, we will have to wait for the results of the official investigation, which is being conducted by the competent authorities.”

The acting president of the country, Choi Sang Mok, was also informed about the accident, who did not want to make statements. South Korea has been in a serious political crisis for weeks, since conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol was ousted by parliament in mid-December after a failed attempt to impose martial law.