The Jeju Air crash is the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil for several decades with dozens having confirmed to have died after the aircraft smashed into a wall at an airport
A flight attendant on board the doomed Jeju Air flight that crashed shortly after hitting the tarmac at a South Korean airport has shared the horror of how the disaster unfolded as they asked doctors a chilling question.
The male flight attendant is one of only two people known to have survived the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning. At least 177 people are understood to have died after the plane skidded along the runway and smashed into a wall before bursting into flames.
After arriving at Mokpo Hankook Hospital, doctors reportedly asked him about his condition. The flight attendant reportedly had no memory of the incident, adding: “What happened? How am I here?”
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According to The Korea Herald, the crew member told doctors that he remembered putting on a seatbelt before the landing. He later said he had no recollection of the crash itself.
He is understood to have been stationed at the rear of the plane to serve passengers. The flight attendant injured his left shoulder and head in the crash, according to the outlet. A female flight attendant is believed to be the only other confirmed survivor. She is understood to be treated at the same hospital.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it has recovered the flight and voice recorders from the wreckage. The Red Cross has also set up more than a dozen yellow tents for bereaved families for privacy.
Most of the passengers on board were South Koreans with the exception of two Thai nationals. The youngest passenger is said to have been a three-year old, according to news agency Yonhap.
Video that captured the moment of the crash showed the Jeju Air flight appearing to hit the tarmac without it landing wheels down. The plane then skidded on its belly as it hurtled toward a wall at the end of the runway.
The front of the plane crumpled as it smashed into the wall with an explosion being seen moments later. Passengers were reportedly flung from the plane in the crash.
Boeing, which made the 737-800 model used by Jeju Air said in a statement today: “We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Jeju Air said in a statement that it expressed its “deep apology” over the crash and added it would do its “utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident.” During a televised news conference, Kim E-bae bowed deeply with other senior company officials as he apologized to bereaved families before saying he felt “full responsibility” over the deadly crash.
An investigation into the disaster is currently underway.
