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South Korea Plane Crash: 179 Feared Dead After Jeju Air Flight Disaster

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A Jeju Air flight carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea crashed during landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning, leaving 179 people feared dead.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating as Flight 2216, collided with a barrier and burst into flames after reportedly skidding off the runway.

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Authorities believe a bird strike and adverse weather conditions contributed to the disaster, which left the plane “almost completely destroyed,” according to fire officials.

The crash occurred at 9:03 a.m. local time (0003 GMT), minutes after the control tower issued a bird strike warning.

Video footage shows the aircraft landing on its belly before veering off the tarmac, colliding with a wall, and erupting into flames.

“Passengers were ejected from the aircraft after it collided with the wall, leaving little chance of survival,” a fire official said during a briefing.

By mid-afternoon, 124 fatalities had been confirmed, with only two survivors, both flight attendants. Recovery teams are still working to identify victims, a process slowed by the extensive damage to the wreckage.

“The plane is almost completely destroyed, and identifying the deceased is proving difficult,” a fire brigade spokesperson said. “The process is taking time as we locate and recover the remains.”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport reported that the pilot issued a Mayday call two minutes before the crash. Initial assessments suggest the runway’s length was not a factor in the crash.

“The runway is 2,800 meters long, and similar-sized aircraft have been operating on it without issues,” an official said.

Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan Fire Station, stated that the likely cause was “a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions,” but added that the exact cause will be determined following a joint investigation.

At Muan International Airport, families of the victims gathered in anguish as they received updates. Many were seen crying as news of the crash spread.

Jeju Air issued a statement apologizing for the tragedy. “We sincerely apologize for causing concern,” the airline said, pledging support for the affected families.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing also released a statement saying it was in contact with Jeju Air and stood “ready to support them.”

South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok convened an emergency meeting with cabinet members before traveling to Muan. He declared the area a special disaster zone, which allows for additional state support for the victims’ families.

“I believe no words of consolation would suffice for the bereaved families who have suffered this tragedy,” Choi said. “The entire government is working closely together to manage the aftermath of the accident, dedicating all available resources.”

This crash is the first fatal accident in Jeju Air’s history since its establishment in 2005. Despite South Korea’s strong aviation safety record, the incident highlights the persistent threat of bird strikes, which have caused multiple accidents worldwide.

In 2009, a US Airways plane famously landed in New York’s Hudson River after bird strikes disabled its engines, resulting in no fatalities in what became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

 

 

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International News

Miracle in Venezuela: Toddler Rescued Alive Six Days After Deadly Earthquakes

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Morocco Earthquake Victims Passes 2,000

A three-year-old child has been rescued alive from beneath the rubble in Venezuela, six days after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the South American nation, offering a glimmer of hope amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The remarkable rescue took place in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, which struck less than a minute apart on June 24.

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Rescue workers have continued round-the-clock search operations despite the challenges posed by repeated aftershocks.

The United Nations described the rescue as a powerful reminder that every life matters as emergency teams continue combing collapsed buildings for survivors.

According to Venezuelan authorities, the earthquakes have claimed nearly 2,000 lives, while more than 6,400 people have been rescued since the disaster struck.

Tens of thousands of survivors remain without adequate shelter, with humanitarian agencies warning that urgent needs continue to grow.

The UN refugee agency said the scale of the disaster has left thousands of families in desperate need of emergency assistance, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that national and international rescue teams remain active in the affected communities.

UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams are also assessing the extent of the destruction and identifying communities most in need of humanitarian support.

Officials said about 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, have either been damaged or completely destroyed.

More than 400 schools and water systems have also been severely affected, worsening living conditions for residents.

To support relief efforts, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered an initial 47-tonne shipment of humanitarian supplies, including emergency medical kits, water purification materials, safe birth supplies, wheelchairs, child-friendly tents and educational materials. The shipment follows an earlier consignment that arrived from Panama.

UNICEF said the combined aid will support more than 100,000 children and their families over the next three months.

Speaking from La Guaira, UNICEF representative Gabriel Vockel said the organisation is working around the clock to reach as many children and families as possible, while appealing for more donations to expand its life-saving operations.

UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, said many affected families are sleeping outdoors for fear of continued aftershocks and remain in urgent need of clean water, healthcare and safe shelter.

The agency estimates that about 680,000 children across six affected states require humanitarian assistance following what has been described as Venezuela’s most significant earthquake disaster in more than a century.

Authorities also reported that more than 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes, increasing concerns over further damage and risks to survivors.

UNICEF is seeking $52 million to respond to the earthquake emergency as part of its broader 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, which remains significantly underfunded.

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Panic in Europe as France Records First-Ever Ebola Case

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France has confirmed its first-ever case of Ebola virus disease, triggering concern across Europe as health authorities move swiftly to contain the deadly infection.

The French Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak, tested positive for the virus after arriving in France.

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According to officials, the patient was immediately isolated upon arrival, even before laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis, helping to reduce the risk of transmission.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed the identification of “a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” marking the first time the virus has been detected in France.

The development also represents the first confirmed Ebola case recorded outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

French authorities disclosed that the case was detected in mainland France, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation as health agencies intensify surveillance and response measures.

The current outbreak in the DRC was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern Ituri Province.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Despite growing concerns, public health experts have stressed that the risk of widespread global transmission remains low because Ebola is less contagious than many airborne infectious diseases.

The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever that can cause symptoms including high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

French health authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the case and prevent any further spread of the disease.

The announcement has nevertheless sparked anxiety across Europe, given the deadly nature of the virus and its emergence outside the African continent during the ongoing outbreak.

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“He Failed Badly” — Trump Says Starmer Will Step Down as UK PM

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U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.

Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.

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“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”

The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.

Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.

Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.

Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.

However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.

As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.

 

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