SEOUL: A tragic plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea resulted in the deaths of 179 people, with only two survivors, marking it as the deadliest aviation disaster in the country's history. The Jeju Air flight, a Boeing 737-800, was attempting to land when it caught fire and veered off the runway.

According to Qatar News Agency, the National Fire Agency reported that the crash occurred after the aircraft's landing gear failed to deploy, a malfunction attributed to a possible bird strike. This mechanical failure led the plane to collide with a fence after going off course during the landing attempt.

The flight originated from Bangkok and was carrying a total of 181 individuals, including six crew members. Among the passengers, the majority were South Koreans, with only two passengers from Thailand. The two survivors, identified as crew members, include a man in his thirties and a woman in her twenties. Both were promptly rescued and transported to a hospital in Seoul for medical treatment.

As investigations proceed, authorities are focused on understanding the sequence of events that led to this calamity, with a particular emphasis on the bird strike hypothesis. The tragedy has sparked national mourning and raised questions about aviation safety measures and emergency response protocols in the region.