South Korea starts releasing Jeju Air crash victims to families

MUAN, South Korea: South Korean authorities began releasing the bodies of plane crash victims to families on Tuesday, as investigators raced to determine why the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash landed and burst into flames.

US investigators, including from Boeing, arrived at the crash site in southwestern Muan, officials said, as South Korean authorities began assessing two black boxes retrieved from the burned-out wreckage of the aircraft.

The plane was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it made a mayday call and belly-landed before crashing into a barrier and bursting into flames.

Everyone aboard Jeju Air Flight 2216 was killed, save two flight attendants pulled from the wreckage.

South Korea is observing seven days of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who has only been in office since Friday, said the accident was a “turning point” for the country, calling for a full overhaul of air safety systems.

He urged officials to “thoroughly reexamine the overall aircraft operation system... and immediately address any necessary improvements.”

“Today marks the final day of 2024,” he said on Tuesday, urging citizens to “reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one.”

“I am well aware that whenever challenges arose, both domestically and internationally, all citizens and public officials united with one heart and mind to overcome these crises.”

At Muan airport, investigators combed over the wrecked fuselage and soldiers picked carefully through the fields around the airport on Tuesday, as people left ritual offerings for victims -- including food and letters -- near the airport´s perimeter.