South Korea declares seven-day national mourning following tragic plane crash

South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok has announced a period of national mourning over a deadly plane crash that claimed at least 177 lives, with two people still missing.

The announcement came during an emergency meeting held hours after a passenger jet carrying 181 individuals crash-landed and exploded at an airport in Muan, a county in southwestern South Korea. Two crew members survived the incident, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"We extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this unexpected tragedy," Choi said.

He declared a seven-day national mourning period, effective starting on December 29, lasting until midnight on January 5.

Choi has also designated Muan as a special disaster zone, making it eligible for state support. 

"We will provide all necessary assistance for recovery efforts, support for the bereaved families and medical treatment for the injured," he stated.

The acting president further instructed relevant agencies to deploy all available resources, including equipment, personnel and infrastructure.

Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister, stepped into the interim leadership role following the suspension of acting President Han Duck-soo's duties by the National Assembly. 

Han was impeached less than two weeks after he took over for President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, who was impeached for his mishandling of martial law.

The crash occurred on December 29 at 9:03 AM local time (00:03 GMT), as a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok attempted to land. The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, a 15-year-old aircraft, was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members when it encountered what authorities believe to be a catastrophic landing gear malfunction.

By Naila Huseynova