Fatal Crash Probe: South Korean police raid Jeju Air airport

On Thursday, South Korean police raided the offices of Jeju Air and Muan International Airport’s operator as part of the investigation into the tragic crash of a Boeing 737-800 that killed 179 people.

The flight, en route from Thailand to South Korea on Sunday, issued a mayday call and made a belly landing before hitting a barrier.

All but two flight attendants perished in the crash, though they were rescued from the burning wreckage.

Authorities conducted search and seizure operations at the Muan airport, where flight 2216 crashed, at a regional aviation office in southwestern South Korea, and at Jeju Air’s office in Seoul.

Both South Korean and U.S. investigators, including those from Boeing, have been combing through the crash site to determine the cause, with both black boxes located and decoding efforts underway.

Police issued a statement saying they launched the search and seizure operation at three locations starting at 9 am (0000 GMT) on January 2, and vowed to swiftly determine the cause and responsibility for the accident.

The warrant was issued based on charges of professional negligence resulting in death. South Korea also announced plans to inspect all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines, focusing on the landing gear, which appears to have malfunctioned during the crash.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized Thursday that immediate action must be taken if any issues with the aircraft model are found during the inspection, especially given the public concern surrounding the accident. South Korean authorities revealed that 101 of the same model were in operation by six different airlines.

This accident is South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster. Initial data extraction from the cockpit voice recorder was completed, but the flight data recorder was damaged and will be analyzed in the United States. While a bird strike was initially suspected, the investigation is also examining a concrete barrier at the runway’s end, with a dramatic video showing the plane hitting it before bursting into flames.

Authorities are also inspecting other airports to assess runway safety installations.

As the investigation continues, families of the victims visited the crash site to mourn. Some returned the following day to gather their loved ones’ belongings. A monk led prayers at the site on Thursday, and mourners left flowers, food, and emotional messages on post-it notes, with many expressing their grief and fond memories.

A handwritten note, believed to be from the pilot’s brother, was placed at the site alongside traditional Korean food, expressing heartbreak over the pilot’s final moments and gratitude for their service.

On Wednesday, a public holiday in South Korea, hundreds of people lined up to pay respects at a memorial altar set up at the airport, with queues stretching for meters and the local phone network overwhelmed. Memorials were also set up across the country.

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