Visuals showed flames engulfing parts of the plane.
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, crashed at the Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, killing 179 people onboard. A harrowing video shows the moment the twin-engine plane skidded off the runway and crashed into a wall. The aircraft immediately burst into flames.
Within seconds, huge black smoke rose into the sky. Visuals also showed flames engulfing parts of the plane.
In the video, it appears the aircraft attempted a 'belly landing' (without its landing gear fully extended), seconds before the crash.
The plane was carrying 181 passengers, including six crew members. Two people -- crew members -- have been found alive, local media reported.
The rescue operations are underway with authorities trying to evacuate passengers from the rear section of the jet. Emergency services at the airport began operations around 9 am after the aircraft crashed. At least 32 fire trucks and scores of firefighters have been deployed at the crash site.
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According to the online flight tracking website, FlightRadar24, the plane was travelling from Bangkok to Muan.
South Korean acting President Choi Sang-Mok ordered all-out rescue efforts. "All related agencies must mobilise all available resources to save the personnel," he instructed officials in a statement.
His chief of staff also convened an emergency meeting over the incident.
The crash is believed to have been caused by contact with birds, resulting in malfunctioning landing gear.
