In a tragic turn of events at Muan International Airport, a deadly crash involving a Jeju Air flight resulted in the deaths of at least 177 people. The incident has prompted investigations into a potential bird strike as a contributing factor, as air traffic controllers had warned the aircraft about bird strike risks just moments before the crash. The airport has a history of bird strike incidents, with the highest rate among South Korea’s regional airports. Experts note that bird strikes can be catastrophic, especially at Muan due to its proximity to fields and coastal areas.
The rise in nationwide bird strike incidents has been attributed by some to climate change, causing migratory birds to become permanent residents and changing the species and timing of bird appearances at airports. Airports are implementing various countermeasures, including sound deterrents and monitoring systems, with some exploring AI and radar technology to track bird movements.
In light of this tragedy, condolences have been sent by world leaders, and South Korea has declared a seven-day national mourning period. The crash, which occurred during the airplane’s landing, saw 175 passengers and six crew members on board, with five of the deceased being children under the age of 10. Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the wreckage, and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining missing individuals. The airport runway is expected to remain closed for a period for investigations.
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