Families of the victims of the Jeju Air crash that occurred on December 29 are taking action, filing a criminal complaint against 15 individuals, including the CEO of Jeju Air and South Korea's transport minister. This tragic incident, which resulted in the death of 179 out of the 181 passengers, is being labeled by the bereaved as a "major civic disaster" attributed to "negligent management of preventable risks."
As authorities continue to investigate the cause behind the crash at Muan International Airport, families have expressed their frustration over the slow pace of the inquiry. Kim Da-hye, a relative of one of the victims, criticized the lack of progress, stating, "We are filled with deep anger and despair. Having taken this extraordinary measure of filing a criminal complaint, we will not give up and will continue to pursue the truth."
Current investigations revealed that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, experienced difficulties shortly after reporting a bird strike and faced an emergency landing attempt, ultimately belly-landing without any landing gear deployed. Following the crash, the plane exploded after overrunning the runway. While investigators have discovered bird feathers within the engines, the extent to which the bird strike contributed to the crash remains unclear.
The complaint also scrutinizes the actions of air traffic control and safety measures in place during the flight. Furthermore, some family members have faced online harassment fueled by conspiracy theories, alleging insensitivity and greed regarding compensation. Authorities have arrested individuals responsible for abusive online comments, yet the quest for justice continues as families demand accountability for this catastrophic event.
