Jeju Air crash: 179 victims’ bodies to be returned to families

Seoul: The South Korean government has announced that it is set to complete the handover of the 179 bodies of the victims of the tragic Jeju Air plane crash to their families and relatives by Monday, as search and recovery efforts reach their final stages. Acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong confirmed the development at a government response meeting, where he also emphasized that the government would continue to offer support to the bereaved families following the funerals. Plans are underway to establish a dedicated organization to assist them in their grieving process.

The crash, which occurred at Muan International Airport on December 29, involved a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft carrying 181 people, of which only two survived. In the aftermath, South Korea’s Transport Ministry has initiated a thorough safety inspection of all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft currently in operation by six airlines within the country.

In addition, two engines from the ill-fated Jeju Air plane have been moved to a hangar for detailed investigation, while the cockpit voice recorder has been transcribed in full to provide further insights into the cause of the crash. The transport ministry confirmed that two aviation investigators would be sending the flight data recorder to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for analysis on Monday.

The investigation has also revealed that the plane was returning from Bangkok when it crashed during its landing attempt at Muan International Airport in the southwestern part of South Korea. Authorities have pledged a thorough inquiry into the events leading up to the crash and will continue to investigate the safety of similar aircraft models in service throughout the country.

The South Korean authorities are working diligently to complete the investigation while offering all necessary support to the families affected by the devastating crash.

With IANS inputs