A Jeju Air flight tragically crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The aircraft, carrying 181 passengers and crew, skidded off the runway and collided with a concrete barrier, claiming the lives of at least 167 individuals. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, rescuing two crew members who are currently in stable condition, while three individuals remain unaccounted for.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the moments leading up to the crash. Several witnesses reported seeing flames emanating from the plane's engine and hearing explosions prior to impact. One witness, Yoo Jae-yong, recounted observing a spark on the right wing of the aircraft before a loud explosion. Another witness, Cho, described seeing a flash of light followed by a loud bang and subsequent explosions as the plane descended towards the runway.

Initial investigations suggest a potential landing gear malfunction, possibly due to a bird strike, may have contributed to the accident. Videos circulating online show the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed. A witness, Jung, reported seeing a flock of birds colliding with the plane, which he believes led to a fire in the right engine. Kim Yong-cheol, another witness, recounted hearing metallic scraping sounds before the crash and observing the plane struggling to land on its initial attempt. The aircraft, a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 returning from Bangkok, Thailand, departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport with no reported issues. Jeju Air expressed its profound apologies for the tragic incident and pledged to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

Boeing also released a statement offering condolences to the victims' families and expressing their readiness to assist Jeju Air in the aftermath of the tragedy.