SEOUL (Diya TV) — A plane crash at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport has killed 179 people, with only two survivors, officials said on Monday. The crash involving a large commercial aircraft leaves the country in shock, as rescue efforts continue.
The Asiana Airlines flight was on the way from Los Angeles, California, to Seoul when it crashed during landing. It is reported that the severe turbulence and weather conditions prevailed as the plane approached the Incheon airport, one of the busiest in South Korea, near the country’s capital. The investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
“We are closely cooperating with foreign and local authorities to try and find out what has actually led to this tragedy,” said Kim Jung-ho, South Korea’s head of the Civil Aviation Authority, speaking at a news conference. “We give our deepest condolences to all families that have been victimized in this disastrous incident.”
According to eyewitnesses, the plane ran off the runway after a poor landing; it caught fire immediately as it hit the ground. Emergency services came quickly but could not rescue most people on board in time. The two who survived have been taken to hospitals here in Seoul and are critical. Authorities do not confirm their identities yet.
The accident has shaken the global air industry. South Korea’s biggest airline, Asiana Airlines, has condemned the accident and has said it will cooperate fully with the probe. “We are truly saddened by this tragedy and are doing all we can to assist the victims and their families,” said an airline official.
In the wake of the crash, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has ordered a full-scale inquiry and called for strict safety reviews across the country’s aviation sector. “We must ensure that an incident like this never happens again,” President Yoon said.
This accident happened at a time when the aviation industry was finally gaining ground from the aftermath of the global pandemic; worldwide airlines were increasing the number of flights to be made as demand continued to grow. The loss of life in this crash has become one of the deadliest in South Korean history.
While the investigators are supposed to focus on mechanical failure, as well as weather factors, as the possible reasons for the disaster, new speculations have emerged indicating that pilot error might also have been the reason behind the tragedy. The flight was American, and an investigation will also be contributed by the United States based National Transportation Safety Board.
