International News
South Korea Plane Crash: 179 Feared Dead After Jeju Air Flight Disaster
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.”
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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