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This could be the worst aviation accident in South Koreapublished at 09:43
Jean Mackenzie
Seoul correspondent
This crash is unusual for South Korea, which has had a good flight safety record in recent years.
If the death toll is confirmed, this will be the worst aviation accident to have ever happened on South Korean soil.
It also appears to be the only fatal crash that Jeju Air has had in its nearly 20 year history.
Jeju Air is Korea’s most popular budget airline, flying to dozens of destinations domestically and across Asia.
The company’s chief executive said at a news conference earlier the airline had no history of accidents. He apologised to the victims’ families.
What to know about Jeju Air, the airline involved in the crash
1.Jeju Air claims to be South Korea’s “number one” low-cost airline on its website.
The airline was established in 2005 and has approximately 3,000 employees.
Jeju Air serves a number of routes in South Korea, as well as cities in the Asia-Pacific, including in Japan, China, the Philippines and Thailand.
As of January 2024, the airline flies to 44 cities and operates nearly 220 flights a day with its 42 aircraft.
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This is the deadliest plane crash ever in South Koreapublished at 09:16
Jake Kwon
Heading to Muan AirportThis is likely going to be the deadliest airplane crash on South Korean soil.
Until today, the worst airplane related disaster in Korea was the 2002 Air China crash which killed 129 people.
Last time a South Korean airline had a fatal crash was 11 years ago.
In 2013, three people were killed when Asiana Airlines flight crashed while landing in San Francisco International Airport.
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Acting president declares special disaster zonepublished at 09:04
Jake Kwon
Heading to Muan AirportActing President Choi Sang-mok has declareed a special disaster zone in Muan.
This makes central government funding available to local government and victims.
“We have a grave situation where a great loss of life occurred after a plane went off the runway in Muan airport this morning,” Choi says, according to presidential office statement.
“I express my deepest condolences to the many victims in the incident. I will do all I can for the injured to quickly recover. I give my condolences to the victims and give my sincere regards to the bereaved families.”
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Death toll rises to 120, say officialspublished at 08:57
BreakingThe death toll has risen to 120, the National Fire Agency says.
Source:BBC and Reuters.