Survivor A: Female crew member in her twenties
According to Mokpo Jung Ang Hospital, where one of the survivors was taken, crew member A (a woman in her twenties) suffered fractures and bruises. Although she didn’t say much after being transported to the hospital, she answered questions from medical staff and was able to communicate. During the rescue operation, A reportedly told the rescuers that “Smoke came out of the plane’s engine, followed by an explosion“. Hospital officials said A would be transferred to a hospital in Seoul after arguing with her parents upon their arrival.
A hospital representative said: “Although we cannot reveal all the details, the woman is conscious and her life is not in danger. He is receiving emergency treatment and stabilization. The final decision on his transfer will be made in consultation with his guardians.”
Survivor B: Male crew member in his thirties
The other survivor, crew member B (a 33-year-old man), was transported to Mokpo Hankuk Hospital. Upon arrival, at the request of the medical staff”Where does it hurt?“, B asked instead: “What happened?“
B, who was serving passengers in the rear section of the plane at the time of the accident, has normal vital signs and is able to walk. He reportedly told the medical team: “I had put my seatbelt on as the plane was about to land, but I don’t remember anything after that.”
A hospital official commented: “Given the situation, it is likely that B is experiencing something similar to a state of panic. It appears that his primary concern was the safety of the passengers, which may explain his initial questions.”
Citizens express concern for the survivors
General patients from Mokpo Jung Ang and Hankuk Hospitals shared their thoughts: “It’s a tragic event, but these two are incredibly lucky to have survived. Memories of the accident will likely stay with them for the rest of their lives, and that’s worrying.”
Meanwhile, at around 9:03 am on December 29, a Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok attempted to land at Muan International Airport but crashed, hitting nearby structures and breaking apart. The Boeing 737-800 plane, carrying 175 passengers (173 Koreans and two Thais) and six crew members, was engulfed in flames following the crash.
By 9.46am firefighters had extinguished the initial fire and rescued two injured crew members from the tail section of the aircraft. However, most of the passengers are presumed dead. Fire and aviation authorities are continuing rescue operations, checking victims and investigating the exact cause of the accident.
