South Korean police raided multiple locations, including Muan International Airport and Jeju Air offices, on Thursday, January 2, as part of an investigation into the nation's worst aviation disaster, which claimed 179 lives.
The Jeonnam Provincial Police conducted search-and-seizure operations at the southwest airport, Jeju Air's Seoul headquarters, and the Muan office of the Busan Regional Office of Aviation. The raid was carried out under a search warrant issued on charges of professional negligence resulting in death, officials said.
Investigators aim to secure evidence regarding the airport's localizer—a concrete structure housing an antenna array near the runway—and communication records between the control tower and the pilot shortly before the crash.
The Jeju Air passenger jet, en route from Bangkok, crashed on Sunday during a belly landing at Muan International Airport, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. The plane skidded along the runway without its landing gear deployed, collided with a concrete wall, and exploded in flames. The tragedy marks the deadliest aviation disaster ever on South Korean soil.
Reports suggest the airport control tower warned the pilot about a potential bird strike minutes before the crash. Shortly after, the pilot declared a Mayday and attempted the emergency landing without deploying the landing gear. Investigators are now examining whether procedural failures, including actions taken by the control tower, occurred during the emergency landing.
By Wednesday, the identities of all 179 victims had been confirmed. Authorities are using DNA analysis to match damaged body parts with the victims. As of Thursday morning, the remains of 24 victims had been delivered to their families, with funeral arrangements underway for 10 individuals. Victims’ belongings recovered from the scene have also started being returned to their families.
Across South Korea, nearly 158,000 people have visited joint memorial altars to pay respects to the victims of the disaster.
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