SEOUL: The remains of 141 out of the 179 individuals who died in the recent Jeju Air plane crash have been tentatively identified, according to officials from the land ministry. This announcement was made during a briefing for the families of the victims at Muan International Airport.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the land ministry confirmed that all 179 bodies have been transferred to a temporary morgue. An official from the ministry stated that they would contact the families once they are ready to transfer the bodies after conducting autopsies. The belongings of the victims are being collected from the crash site, where the plane belly-landed and collided with a barrier, resulting in 179 fatalities out of the 181 people onboard.
Authorities have preserved the crash site as they continue to investigate the cause of the accident. In response to the tragedy, major cities and provinces are planning to establish joint memorial altars for the victims. The local governments of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, which suffered the loss of 157 residents in the crash, are setting up at least three altars, including those at the May 18 Democracy Square, the South Jeolla provincial government building, and a sports complex in Muan.
The altars will be open until the end of the national mourning period, which lasts for seven days and concludes on Saturday.