South Korean authorities have intensified their investigation into the tragic crash of a Boeing 737-800 by raiding the offices of Jeju Air and barring the airline’s CEO, Kim E-bae, from leaving the country.
Tribune Online reports that 179 out of 181 people on board the ill-fated flight were confirmed dead in the crash at Muan International Airport, South Korea.
In recent developments, investigators carried out search and seizure operations at the crash site, a regional aviation office in southwestern South Korea, and Jeju Air’s office in Seoul, police confirmed.
In connection with the investigation, Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, has also been barred from leaving the country.
“The police plan to swiftly and rigorously determine the cause and responsibility for this accident in accordance with the law and principles,” authorities said in a statement to AFP.
On Thursday, soldiers, police, and forensic investigators continued their examination of the crash site, while Buddhist monks in orange robes performed prayer ceremonies in the vicinity.
Inside Muan International Airport, mourners left colourful post-it notes on staircases, expressing grief and love for the victims.
One note read, “Honey, I miss you way too much.” Another said, “Even if you faced lonely and painful moments in death, may you now soar like a butterfly.”
Relatives of the victims gathered near the crash site, leaving flowers and tteokguk, traditional rice cake soup, as they bid tearful farewells.
Chefs from Netflix’s hit show Culinary Class Wars, including Ahn Yu-seong, joined volunteers in preparing meals for the victims’ families. Across the country, people also pre-purchased coffee at the airport café to ensure free drinks for grieving relatives waiting for updates.
While initial investigations suggested a bird strike might have caused the crash, attention has now shifted to the concrete barrier at the end of the runway. Dramatic video footage captured the moment the plane struck the structure, causing an explosion and flames.
According to the Yohan News Agency, police are now investigating charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
Authorities are looking into the legitimacy of the barrier, which houses an antenna array and are securing communication records between the control tower and the pilot before the crash.
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