South Korea Authorities Starts Releasing Jeju Air Plane Crash Victims to Families
South Korean authorities have started releasing the bodies of victims from the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash to their families. The tragic incident occurred when the aircraft crash-landed and burst into flames at Muan airport.
The plane was carrying 181 people on a flight from Thailand to South Korea. Out of those on board, only two flight attendants survived, pulled from the wreckage. All other passengers and crew perished.
Transport Minister Park Sang-woo announced at Muan airport on Tuesday, “Of the 179 victims, the bodies of four have completed the handover procedures to their bereaved families for funerals.
He added that for 28 victims whose identities and autopsies have been completed, funeral procedures would commence from 2 pm local time (0500 GMT) with family consent.
The nation is observing a seven-day mourning period, with flags flying at half-mast. Memorial altars have been set up nationwide, including in Seoul. At Muan airport, families of the victims oversaw the creation of a new altar on Tuesday, adorned with black-and-white funeral flowers.
