The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed sadness and sent a condolence message to the Government and People of the Republic of Korea over the unfortunate crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 that occurred on Sunday, December 29th, 2024.
A statement issued on Sunday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, said the Nigerian government sympathized with the Government of South Korea and the families of the victims of the deadly plane crash.
According to reports, the Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air was returning from Bangkok, Thailand when it crash-landed at the Muan International Airport in the southern part of the country, skidding off the runway and crashing into a wall in a fiery explosion.
A total of 179 of the 181 people on board the aircraft have so far been confirmed killed, with just two survivors.
Investigations are on as to the real cause of the crash. Two survivors, both members of the flight crew, have been pulled from the debris and rescue efforts continue.
The flight recorder from the plane has been recovered, according to an official from South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation (Molit). During a briefing, a Molit official said the plane’s voice recorder has yet to be located.
Earlier, the prime minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra wrote in a post on X: “I want to send my condolences to the families of those who died and were injured.”
Over 1,500 emergency personnel have been deployed for the recovery effort, including 490 fire employees and 455 police officers, reports said.
Jeju Air has apologised to families and plane manufacturer Boeing has offered condolences to those affected.
This crash is unusual for South Korea, which has had credible records of flight safety in recent years and this could be the worst aviation accident to have ever happened on its soil.
