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At least 167 killed in plane crash at South Korea airport 179 people killed in deadliest plane crash in South Korea
(about 5 hours later)
Video captures moments before South Korea plane crashVideo captures moments before South Korea plane crash
A plane carrying 181 passengers has crashed at an airport in South Korea, killing at least 167 people, the country's fire authorities have said. All passengers on board a Jeju Air flight have died after the plane crash-landed at an airport in South Korea on Sunday, in what is the country's worst ever air disaster.
The aircraft came off the runway and crashed into a wall at Muan International Airport in the south west of the country, the national Yonhap news agency reported. A total of 179 of the 181 people on board the Boeing 737-800 were killed, with just two survivors, both cabin staff, pulled from the burning wreckage by rescuers.
The Jeju Air plane, which was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was returning from Bangkok in Thailand and crashed as it was landing. The plane landed at Muan International Airport in the country's south, skidding off the runway and crashing into a wall in a fiery explosion.
Only two survivors have been found so far - crew members who had been in the plane's tail section. Flight 2216 had been returning from Bangkok in Thailand with six crew and 175 passengers, many of whom had been on holiday.
The passengers on board the flight included 173 South Koreans and two Thais, Yonhap reported. Distraught relatives gathered in the arrival hall, many in tears, as they waited for bodies to be identified.
The cause of the crash is still not known, but local media reported it may have been caused by birds getting caught in the plane's systems. Mr Maeng (in blue) says he lost his nephew and great-nephews
Unverified footage uploaded to social media of the crash - which happened shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT) - shows the aircraft skidding off the runway and crashing into a wall, before part of it bursts into flames. Some of victims have only been able to be identified so far by their fingerprints.
Other footage shows a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky. Maeng Gi-su, 78, told the BBC his nephew and his nephew's two sons had been on the plane.
South Korea's fire agency said 80 firefighters and more than 30 fire trucks had been deployed to the crash site. It was the family's first trip abroad, to mark the youngest son finishing his college entrance exams.
Muan is about 178 miles (288 km) south of the capital, Seoul. "I can't believe the entire family has just disappeared. My heart aches so much," he said.
South Korea's aviation industry is considered to have a solid track record for safety. The passengers included 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. They were aged between 3 and 78, although most were in their 40s, 50s and 60s, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
This crash is the first fatal accident in the history of Jeju Air, one of South Korea's largest low-cost airlines, which was set up in 2005. Footage shared of the crash - which happened shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT) - showed the aircraft landing without wheels, running off the runway and crashing into a wall, before part of it bursts into flames.
It is also the first fatal crash by a South Korean airline in over a decade. In 2013, three people were killed when an Asiana Airlines flight crashed while landing in San Francisco. An investigation into the cause is under way. There had been no initial reports of plane or maintenance problems at take-off.
South Korean transport officials are reporting the plane ran into difficulties approaching landing - with the pilot, who had more than 9,800 hours of flight experience - pulling out of the first attempt at landing due to bird interference.
Soon after, the pilot issued a mayday call and made the ill-fated emergency landing attempt.
A malfunction with the landing gear may have arisen from birds getting caught in the plane's systems, local media reported.
One passenger sent a relative a message saying a bird was stuck in the wing, the South Korean News1 agency reported.
Two survivors were recovered from the plane's wreckage
The disaster is a national tragedy for South Korea, which has been embroiled in a political crisis after President Yoon and his temporary successor were both impeached by parliament.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who was only appointed on Friday, visited the site of the crash on Sunday.
"I express my deepest condolences to the many victims in the incident. I will do all I can for the injured to quickly recover," Choi said.
South Korea's airlines have typically been seen as "industry best practice" with good safety records, analysts have said.
The Jeju Air crash is the worst for any South Korean airline since the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam, which killed more than 200 people. Prior to Sunday, the deadliest on South Korean soil was an Air China crash flight that killed 129.
The Muan airport crash also marks the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, one of South Korea's largest low-cost airlines which was set up in 2005.
Jeju Air bosses bowed deeply as they gave a public apology at a press conference on Sunday.
"We deeply apologise to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation," the firm said in a statement.
Boeing Airlines, which manufactured the 737-800 jet, has said it is in touch with the airline.