As investigators raced to find out why the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed-landed and burst into flames, South Korean authorities began releasing the bodies of the plane crash victims to their families on Tuesday ( Dec 31 ).
US researchers, including from Boeing, arrived at the crash site in southern Muan, authorities said, as North Korean government began assessing two dark boxes retrieved from the burned-out shipwreck of the plane.
When it made a call contact, the helicopter belly-landed, crashed into a challenge, and then burst into flames, killing 181 people traveling from Thailand to South Korea.
All aboard Jeju Air Flight 2216 was killed, save two aircraft staff pulled from the aircraft.
South Korea is observing seven weeks of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who has only been in business since Friday, said the incident was a “turning place” for the region, calling for a complete overhaul of air safety systems.
He urged authorities to” thoroughly reexamine the entire plane activity system… and immediately address any important improvements.”
He said on Tuesday that” the morning is the last day of 2024,” and that he was urging people to “reflect on the last year and get ready for the new one.”
” Whenever difficulties arise, both domestically and internationally, all members and public officials come together with a single heart and mind to overcome these crises,” I am also aware of.