The plane was on its way from Bangkok and was due to land at the airport in Muan in the south-west of the country just after nine in the morning local time. There were 181 people on board.
But suddenly the plane skidded off the runway and crashed into a partition wall, splitting in two and catching fire.
The fire was explosive and took an hour to extinguish.
A massive rescue operation is underway at the plane and, in addition to bodies, the plane’s black box is also being searched. Over 700 people participate in the effort. So far, over 120 people have been confirmed dead.
Failed landing
Two people from the crew are said to have been pulled alive from the back of the plane, reports Yonhap news. They have been taken to hospital for emergency treatment and their condition is described as serious but not life-threatening.
The plane was of the Boeing 737-800 model and, according to South Korean media, should have tried to land on its belly after its landing gear could not be folded out.
Witnesses are said to have heard a large bang before the crash.
The company: “Apologies”
South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok announces that the country is mobilizing all available resources.
The plane belonged to the South Korean airline Jeju Air.
“Jeju air bows deeply and apologizes to all those affected by the accident at Muan Airport (..) We sincerely apologize for causing concern,” the company writes in a statement.
The plane’s manufacturer Boeing writes in a statement that it is in contact with Jeju Air to investigate the accident further.
May have collided with birds
According to Yonhap news, the crash may have been caused by a collision with birds. South Korean media also reports that a person on board texted a relative and claimed that a bird was stuck in the plane’s wing.
“Shall I say my last words?”, the person is said to have written.
The Guardian newspaper reports that the accident is the worst civilian aviation disaster in South Korea’s history.