Singapore sends condolences after fatal Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government on Sunday (Dec 29) sent its "deepest condolences" to the South Korean government after a Jeju Air plane crashed into a wall at Muan Airport, killing 179 people.

It also conveyed its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.

A spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said there were no reports of Singaporeans on board the flight.

A total of 179 people were killed when an airliner landed without wheels, veering off the runway and erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at South Korea's Muan International Airport on Sunday.

Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 181 people on board, was attempting to land shortly after 9am (8am, Singapore time) at the airport, South Korea's transport ministry said.

Two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the burning plane, Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a briefing. They were being treated at hospitals with medium to severe injuries.

"We wish the survivors a full recovery," said the MFA spokesperson.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he was "deeply saddened" by the plane crash, adding that Singapore stands in solidarity with the people of South Korea and those affected as investigations continue. 

"My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims in this heartbreaking tragedy," said Mr Wong, adding that it was a "stark reminder" of how fragile life can be. 

"As we get together this festive season, let us cherish the time we have with those we hold dear, and treasure the moments we have with one another."

A bird strike was cited by authorities as the likely cause of the crash - the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil - which flung passengers out of the plane and left it "almost completely destroyed", according to fire officials.

Video showed the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 landing on its belly at Muan International Airport, skidding off the runway as smoke streamed out from the engines, before crashing into a wall and exploding in flames.

"Passengers were ejected from the aircraft after it collided with the wall, leaving little chance of survival," a local fire official told families at a briefing, according to a statement released by the fire brigade.

Both black boxes - the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder - have been found, deputy transport minister Joo Jong-wan said at a briefing.