Church leaders in South Korea have expressed their condolences after a plane crash within the south west of the country killed not less than 177 people.
Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed at Muan International Airport because it attempted to land shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT). Footage of the Boeing 737-800 appeared to indicate the plane skidding along the runway before hitting a wall and bursting into flames.
The plane was carrying 181 people. Most of the passengers on board are believed to have been South Koreans, apart from two Thai nationals. Two survivors – each crew members – were pulled from the wreckage and have been taken to hospital.Â
The National Council of Churches in Korea, Chairman Rev Kim Jong-hyeok, has sent a message of condolences to the families of the victims and survivors, and asked people to hitch him in praying for those affected.
“We pray for God’s great comfort for the bereaved families and the injured who’ve suffered great sorrow as a consequence of this accident,” he said.
“We urge churches across the country to hope together and the federal government and relevant officials to quickly handle the accident and give you measures to forestall a reoccurrence.”
UK foreign secretary David Lammy said in an announcement that he that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
In a post on social media platform X, he said: “My heartfelt condolences exit to the people of South Korea and Thailand, and all those who have lost family members.”
In an announcement, Boeing said: “We are in touch with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand able to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost family members, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Jeju Air said in an announcement: “We deeply apologize to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation. We sincerely regret the distress caused.”
