A passenger aircraft crashed during landing at South Korea's Muan International Airport early Sunday, December 29, resulting in 179 fatalities out of 181 people on board. The Guardian reported that the Jeju Air flight, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, was arriving from Thailand when it veered off the runway and broke apart. Only two survivors—a passenger and a crew member—were rescued from the wreckage.

Local fire officials confirmed the fire at the crash site had been extinguished, and the two survivors were found in the rear section of the plane. According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, initial investigations suggest the crash may have been caused by a bird strike that damaged the landing gear during the landing attempt.

Footage of the incident shows rescue teams working amidst flames and smoke at the aircraft's rear. Acting President Choi Sang Mok, who assumed office just days prior, has ordered an efficient rescue operation.