(2nd LD) 28 dead, 3 rescued in passenger plane crash in S. Korea's Muan

▲ Firefighters put out a fire and carry out rescue operations at the plane crash site in the Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Dec. 29, 2024, in this photo provided by a Yonhap reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Flames rise from the wreckage of the Jeju Air passenger plane that crashed at the Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Dec. 29, 2024, in this photo provided by a Yonhap reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) plane-crash

(2nd LD) 28 dead, 3 rescued in passenger plane crash in S. Korea's Muan

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details throughout, photo, byline)

By Kim Seung-yeon

MUAN, South Korea, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- At least 28 people were dead and many others likely injured after a South Korean passenger plane carrying 181 people crashed at an airport in the country's southwest on Sunday, police and firefighters said.

The accident happened at 9:07 a.m., when the Jeju Air flight veered off the runway while landing and collided with a fence at the Muan International Airport in the Muan county, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

Authorities confirmed 28 people died in the crash -- all of whom were found at the tail section -- with the casualties likely to increase. Three have been rescued.

The authorities have not disclosed a number for the casualties yet.

A total of 181, including six crew members, were aboard the plane that was returning from Bangkok.

Most of the passengers were Koreans, except for two Thai nationals.

The crash significantly damaged the plane, resulting in a fire.

Authorities extinguished the fire in 43 minutes and said that search and rescue operations were under way at the crash site.

Some 80 firefighters have been sent to the crash site.

Officials suspect a landing gear failure, possibly due to a bird strike, may have caused the accident. They began an on-site investigation to determine the exact cause.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok instructed officials to make all-out efforts for the rescue operations. Choi was on his way to the accident site, his officials said.

The presidential office said it will convene an emergency meeting of senior officials at 11:30 a.m. to discuss government responses to the plane crash. The meeting will be presided over by Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk.

Acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young also ordered officials to mobilize all available resources and work with firefighting and other related agencies to help with the rescue efforts.

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