South Korea Plane Crash: 120 Dead as Jeju Aircraft's Landing Gear Fails; Two Survivors Pulled to Safety

South Korean Plane Crash: Deadly Accident Claims Lives as Landing Gear Malfunctions

A devastating aviation disaster unfolded in South Korea on Sunday, December 29, 2024, when a passenger plane burst into flames after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport. The aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, was carrying 181 people when its landing gear apparently failed to deploy, leading to a catastrophic crash into a concrete fence.

The Crash and Immediate Aftermath

The incident occurred at approximately 9:03 AM local time. According to the National Fire Agency, the plane caught fire upon impact after skidding across the airstrip with its landing gear still closed. Emergency footage broadcasted by YTN television showed the aircraft colliding head-on with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the runway.

Emergency services were deployed immediately, with 32 fire trucks and several helicopters rushing to the scene to contain the fire and assist survivors. Although the fire was largely extinguished, rescue operations continued as emergency workers worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the wreckage. So far, two individuals—a passenger and a crew member—have been rescued.

Tragically, the crash has claimed the lives of at least 85 people, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in South Korean history.

Details of the Flight and Investigation

The Jeju Air flight was returning from Bangkok when the incident occurred. Among the passengers were two Thai nationals, according to the South Korean Transport Ministry. Investigators are focusing on the apparent malfunction of the plane's landing gear as a possible cause of the crash.

Historical Context

This disaster is among the worst aviation accidents in South Korea in recent years. The last major incident occurred in 1997 when a Korean Air flight crashed in Guam, resulting in 228 fatalities.

Impact on Muan International Airport

Muan International Airport has suspended all flights in the wake of the crash. Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the precise cause of the landing gear failure and to evaluate safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.

This catastrophic event highlights the critical importance of stringent maintenance checks and advanced safety systems in aviation to ensure passenger safety.

Leopards Leave Forests, Invade Cities, Sparking Fear Among Residents in Moradabad and Bijnor

Leopards Leaving the Jungle and Entering Cities, Spreading Fear Among Residents

Moradabad - The terror of leopards has now extended from the forests to the cities. In the past 10 days, two leopards have been captured in the Kanth and Dilari regions. Just four days ago, a 45-year-old farmer was killed by a leopard in Jalalpur Bhud village, Bijnor. According to the Forest Department, more than 500 leopards are roaming in the fields in the Bijnor and Moradabad areas. Leopard paw prints were found in Khadana village, near New Moradabad, a week ago. This has caused both the villagers and city dwellers to become increasingly fearful.

In the Bijnor district of Moradabad division, dense forests stretch from Amangarh to Najibabad. Additionally, Moradabad's Thakurdwara tehsil is adjacent to the Uttarakhand border, where there are dense forests in the Ramnagar, Kashipur, and Jaspur areas of Uttarakhand. The Kanth region of Moradabad is close to Amangarh and Najibabad.

Leopard Presence in Nearby Villages and Urban Areas

In Amangarh, where both tigers and leopards are present, most of the ranges in the Najibabad division are home to elephants and leopards. It is estimated that more than 500 leopards are residing in sugarcane fields. This is evidenced by the fact that 46 leopards and their cubs have been captured in Bijnor within the last year. Leopards from the forests of Bijnor and Uttarakhand have been making their way to Moradabad.

On August 14th, a leopard was captured in Malhpur village of the Kanth tehsil. Just a week later, on August 22nd, another leopard was trapped in a cage by the Forest Department team in Bawania village, Dilari. The alarming fact is that these leopards are now approaching the city through these villages. Leopards have been spotted in the forests of Guretha, Modha Taiya, and Khadana, adjacent to the urban areas of Majhola and Pakbara. Due to the possibility of leopards being present, the Forest Department has advised people to remain vigilant.

Villages with the Most Fear of Leopards

The fear of leopards is particularly high in the villages of Sultanpur Khaddar, Malikpur, Haji Nagla, Sitapur, Sarkada Vishnoi, and Bawania in the Dilari region of the district. Residents of these villages are spending their nights awake, scared of the leopards. Leopards have already attacked farmers in these areas.

Leopards Thriving in Sugarcane Fields: Joel Loyal

Joel Loyal, a senior wildlife researcher and expert from Jim Corbett, mentioned that leopards have adapted to living in sugarcane fields. Removing them from these areas is now a challenging task. Given their growing presence, people must learn how to protect themselves from these wild animals.

There are a large number of leopards in the sugarcane fields. To capture and count them, the Wildlife Institute has appointed two scientists. These scientists will use drones to count the leopards over the next four months. Wherever leopard paw prints are found or where farmers have reported sightings, cages will be set up to capture the leopards and release them into the Amangarh forest.

Leopard to Be Declared Man-Eater, Forest Officials Write Letter

Bijnor - The leopard that killed a farmer in Jalalpur Bhud also consumed him. With three deaths and three injuries occurring within a 4-5 km radius in about one and a half months, there is an increasing suspicion that the leopard may have turned into a man-eater. In response, DFO Arun Kumar Singh has written to higher authorities, requesting the leopard be declared a man-eater.

Leopard Killed in Road Accident Last Year

Moradabad - In September last year, two leopards made their way to Sikanderpur village in the Majhola police station area. The noise made by villagers and the lighting of fires caused the leopards to flee. During their escape, one leopard was hit by a truck on the Pakbara-Gindaura road and died on the spot. The Forest Department team followed the leopards’ paw prints to the sugarcane fields. The Forest Department believes that the leopards moved from the Modha Taiya area to the Thakurdwara region via Kanth.

Source:- Amar Ujala