Condolences pour in from across the world for Jeju Air plane crash

SEOUL – World leaders sent condolences to South Korea on Dec 29 after the country suffered its deadliest plane crash, with

179 people killed when their aircraft went up in flames

.

Only two people survived when the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 plane skidded off the runway and slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport.

As relatives of those on board gathered at the airport in grief, leaders expressed their sympathy.

China ‘shocked’

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message to South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok, said he was “shocked” to learn of the crash.

“I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims’ families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said, quoted by China’s national broadcaster CCTV.

Singapore conveys ‘deepest condolences’

In a statement late on Dec 29, a spokesperson for Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said: “The Singapore Government is saddened by the news of the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on Dec 29, 2024. We convey our deepest condolences to the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and to the families and loved ones of those that have perished. We wish the survivors a full recovery.

“We are in contact with the ROK authorities and there were no reports of Singaporeans on board the flight.”

EU ‘heartbroken’

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was “heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan”.

The European Commission president said: “As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief.”

Pope offers prayers

Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican that he joins “in prayer for the survivors and the dead”.

He added: “My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash.”

France mourns ‘terrible toll’

France’s Foreign Ministry said Paris learnt “with great emotion the terrible toll” and sends condolences to the affected families.

Germany sees ‘incredible loss’

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is “yet another blow to the nation’s heart” after “a difficult period” – alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul.

“This is an incredible loss and pain” for the friends and families of those killed, Mr Steinmeier said.

Greece ‘profoundly saddened’

“Profoundly saddened by the tragic incident”, Greece’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said on social media platform X, sending condolences “during this difficult time”.

Iran sends condolences

Tehran expressed its “condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand”, the departure point of the plane, which had two Thai nationals on board.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed “the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured”.

Iata ‘shocked’, ‘saddened’

The International Air Transport Association – which represents some 340 airlines that comprise 80 per cent of air traffic – in a statement said: “We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air Flight 2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew on the flight and their loved ones.”

Serbia ‘disbelief’

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on X wrote: “As we watch with disbelief the horrific scenes from the crash site, our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives.” He added that he was “deeply shaken”.

Spain ‘profoundly shocked’

Spain’s Foreign Ministry said Madrid was “profoundly shocked by the terrible accident”, sending condolences and “all our solidarity” to those affected.

Turkey ‘deeply saddened’

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X. AFP