SEOUL: The remains of 140 victims from the deadly Jeju Air plane crash earlier this week have been tentatively identified, officials announced. The tragic accident resulted in the deaths of 179 out of the 181 individuals on board when the aircraft crash-landed and collided with a barrier.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport provided updates during a briefing for the victims' families held at Muan International Airport, located 288 kilometers south of Seoul. The ministry reported that 165 bodies have been relocated to a temporary morgue. Officials stated that families would be contacted as soon as the bodies are ready for transfer following autopsies conducted by investigation agencies.
Efforts are underway to collect personal belongings of the victims from the crash site, where the plane made a belly landing before crashing into a barrier. Authorities have secured the area as they continue to investigate the cause of the accident. The preservation of the site is crucial for gathering evidence and understanding the circumstances surrounding the crash.