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President Biden said he was “deeply saddened” by the Jeju Air accident in South Korea that left nearly 180 people dead.
“Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred as a result of the Jeju Airlines accident in Muan, Republic of Korea,” Biden said Sunday in a statement. “As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy.”
Biden said the United States is ready to provide assistance for the accident.
South Korean officials said the control tower had warned of birds in the area of Muan International Airport. The pilot sent a “mayday” signal, and the aircraft went up in flames.
Just two survivors were pulled from the wreckage. They were both crew members rescued from the back of the plane.
It was reported the remaining 179 passengers and crew were accounted for after the initial search. Fire officials at the airport confirmed all were killed in the accident.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 was a Boeing 737-800 plane. It departed Bangkok, Thailand, and arrived around 9 a.m. local time, when one of the survivors said it was presumed a bird flew into the engine, resulting in smoke and an explosion.
A team of team of U.S. investigators including the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing are set to help South Korea investigate the crash.
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