Several acquaintances of fans who attended the '2024 Asia Artist Awards (AAA)' have reportedly lost contact after being scheduled to fly back to Muan Airport following the event.

According to the National Fire Agency, on the morning of December 29, Jeju Air flight 7C2216, traveling from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, attempted to land but crashed on the runway. The cause of the accident is suspected to be landing gear failure, with further investigations ongoing.

On social media and online communities, posts began circulating as people sought to verify the safety of domestic audience members who attended the '9th Asia Artist Awards' held in Bangkok on December 27 and were scheduled to return to Korea on December 29. Many users shared that they had lost contact with acquaintances who were supposed to fly back on Jeju Air after attending the event.

Reports also indicated that professional baseball officials, including individuals associated with the KIA Tigers, were among the passengers listed.

The B737-800 aircraft was carrying 181 people, including 175 passengers and six crew members. Among the passengers, 173 were South Korean, and two were Thai nationals. By 11:10 AM, fire authorities rescued two injured individuals, both of whom were crew members.

The flight was part of a Christmas-themed 5-day, 3-night package tour arranged by a small travel agency, with many family travelers onboard. The largest groups of passengers were individuals in their 50s and 60s, with 40 passengers each. Tragically, the youngest victim was a 3-year-old boy born in 2021.

The death toll from the Jeju Air plane crash has risen to 167. Most of the passengers onboard were South Koreans returning from a year-end visit to Bangkok.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families during this devastating time.

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