South Korean police raid offices in investigation of fatal Boeing 737-800 crash

MUAN—South Korean police have raided multiple locations, including the offices of Jeju Air and the operator of Muan International Airport, as part of an ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of a Boeing 737-800 that killed 179 people. The crash occurred on Sunday when the flight, carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea, issued a mayday call before belly-landing and slamming into a barrier at Muan airport.

The crash left only two flight attendants alive, who were rescued from the burning wreckage. In response, South Korean authorities conducted search and seizure operations at Muan International Airport, the regional aviation office in the southwestern city, and Jeju Air’s headquarters in Seoul. The aim is to uncover the cause of the crash and determine who may be responsible.

Investigators from South Korea and the United States, including experts from Boeing, have been combing the crash site since the incident, working to analyse the aircraft’s black boxes. While both black boxes were recovered, decoding efforts are still ongoing.

A police statement issued on Thursday confirmed that the search and seizure operation began at 9 a.m on January 2, targeting three locations. Authorities have stated their intent to rigorously determine the cause of the accident, with a focus on professional negligence resulting in death.

In response to the crash, South Korea’s transportation ministry has announced a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean carriers. The inspection will specifically focus on the landing gear, which is suspected to have malfunctioned during the crash.

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, called for “immediate action” should the investigation uncover any issues with the Boeing 737-800 model. The country has 101 such aircraft in operation across six different airlines.

Choi emphasised the need for thorough inspections of the aircraft’s operation, maintenance, and crew training. He urged the relevant agencies to take immediate corrective action if any problems are discovered.

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