South Korea Plane Crash: 20 Feared Dead, Many Injured at Muan Airport

At least 20 people are feared dead after Jeju Air Flight 2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, crashed during an emergency landing at South Korea's Muan Airport on Sunday. The flight, which was returning from Bangkok, Thailand, attempted a belly landing after its landing gear failed to deploy properly, according to local media.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the aircraft made an initial landing attempt but was forced to abort and "go-around" due to the malfunction. The crew then attempted a second landing, but the plane was unable to slow down in time and crashed into airport structures at the runway's end, sparking a fire. Verified videos from the scene show thick black smoke rising from the wreckage.

Local authorities believe a bird strike may have caused the malfunction, although the investigation is ongoing. A belly landing, where an aircraft lands without its landing gear fully extended, was used in an attempt to minimize damage, but the crash resulted in severe damage to the fuselage.

Emergency responders are on-site, and the crash site has been secured. The full extent of casualties has yet to be confirmed, but local media reports that the situation remains dire. The South Korean government is coordinating with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the incident. At least one person was rescued from the wreckage, according to officials.