A devastating aviation disaster has struck South Korea, claiming the lives of 179 people who were on board a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok to Jeju Island. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft crashed on Sunday, killing everyone except for two passengers and crew members.
The victims included children, colleagues, holidaymakers, and family members, all of whom were on their way to reunite with loved ones in South Korea. The plane was carrying a diverse group of people from Thailand and South Korea, including a young woman who had won a scholarship to study airline business management.
Five passengers who worked together at a public education office had planned a holiday to celebrate their promotions when the tragedy struck. One colleague described her as “still lingering in my eyes,” highlighting the emotional impact of the disaster.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the country, with relatives and locals gathering at Muan airport to pay tribute to the victims. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, but they have identified 41 passengers who were on the return leg of a package tour that left Thailand last Christmas night.
The disaster is being described as South Korea’s worst domestic aviation tragedy, and it has raised questions about air safety in the country.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/04/a-toddler-a-student-a-family-of-nine-who-were-the-victims-of-jeju-air-flight-7c2216