Pembukaan rute penerbangan langsung Jeju Air dari Incheon, Korea Selatan ke Batam yang resmi beroperasi 16 Oktober 2024. (Dok Kemenhub)
The tragedy of the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport , South Korea, on Sunday morning (12/29/2024) shocked many people and caused deep sorrow. The plane carrying 181 people, consisting of 175 passengers and six crew, crashed while landing. The plane skidded off the runway and hit the airport fence, causing a massive fire.
The tragic incident resulted in at least 29 lives lost, while dozens more were injured. Initial investigations indicate that a faulty landing gear is suspected to be the main cause of the accident, although authorities are still gathering evidence at the scene.
South Korean President Choi Sang-mok immediately ordered maximum rescue operations to evacuate victims and handle the emergency situation. The investigation process is being carried out intensively to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Chronology of Jeju Air Accident at Muan AirportQuoting ANTARA, Jeju Air flight number 7C 2216 departed from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan, South Korea, on Sunday morning. The plane is scheduled to land at Muan Airport at 09.04 local time.
However, during the landing process, the plane skidded off the runway and hit the airport fence, causing severe damage and starting a fire in the tail section of the plane. Firefighters were immediately deployed to extinguish the fire that broke out on the plane.
The fire was extinguished in 43 minutes, but the evacuation of passengers trapped inside the plane continued. Some passengers were evacuated through emergency exits and the damaged tail of the plane.
Alleged Cause of Jeju Air Plane CrashInitial investigations suggest that damage to the landing gear was a major factor in the accident, with a bird strike suspected to have damaged the aircraft's wheels during landing.
The damage caused the plane to lose control as it touched the runway, skidding and crashing into the airport fence. The impact of the collision triggered a fire that burned most of the fuselage.
The investigation team also checked the technical condition of the aircraft before takeoff and the routine maintenance history to ensure there were no technical omissions that worsened the situation.
No Indonesian Citizens Were VictimsThe accident left 29 people dead and dozens more injured, including some with serious injuries. Rescue workers worked non-stop to evacuate victims from the scene.
The rescue operation involved more than 80 firefighters and medical teams deployed to handle the emergency situation. The medical team at the scene immediately provided first aid before the victims were taken to the nearest hospital.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul are monitoring the plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport, South Korea, today (29/12/2024). Currently, the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul is coordinating with local authorities and based on informal information obtained, there were no Indonesian passengers on the plane," said the Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha, quoting RRI.
Government Response and Follow-up ActionsSouth Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, and stressed the importance of improving aviation safety across the country.
An emergency meeting was held by the presidential office on the same day to discuss strategic steps in dealing with the impact of the accident. The National Police Chief ordered all resources to be mobilized to speed up the investigation process.
South Korea's Transport Ministry is supporting the investigation and has ordered an audit of Jeju Air to assess its aircraft safety and maintenance standards.
Future Aviation Safety StepsIn response to the incident, South Korean aviation authorities are planning to update safety procedures at airports and airlines.
South Korea's aviation authority plans to update safety procedures at airports and airlines. Routine inspections of landing systems and aircraft maintenance will be tightened.
In addition, the government will review emergency response policies at airports, including additional training for rescue workers and flight crews to prepare for similar situations in the future.
These steps are expected to increase public confidence in the aviation industry and prevent similar accidents from happening again in the future.
(brl/red)
