World
December 31, 2024 09:21
south korea - A stewardess and her colleague were the sole survivors of a plane crash in South Korea. Discover how they managed to escape the tragic incident and the safety measures that played a crucial role in their survival.
During the landing of the Boeing 737-800 at Muan International Airport, a horrific accident occurred. The aircraft skidded off the runway, crashed into a concrete wall, and burst into flames. Miraculously, the rear section where the stewardess and her colleague were seated broke off and remained unscathed by the fire.
Various studies indicate that the rear section of an aircraft is relatively the safest during a crash. Time Magazine previously aggregated accident data from crashes, revealing a 32% fatality rate for occupants in the rear third of the plane compared to 38% for those in the front.
Professor Doug Drury from Queensland University stated that survival chances are lowest near the wings, where the fuel tanks are located. Occupying the middle seats slightly increases survival odds as fellow passengers act as buffers in case of impact.
The likelihood of a plane crash is exceptionally low, with a 1 in 880,000 chance per flight. Globally, between 200 and 500 fatalities occur annually, including incidents in countries with lax safety regulations. By comparison, over one million fatalities result from road accidents worldwide each year.
One of the surviving stewards, 33-year-old Lee, recounted regaining consciousness in the hospital after the crash, sustaining multiple fractures. Another survivor, 25-year-old stewardess Koo, is slated for surgery to address head and ankle injuries.
The cause of the crash remains uncertain, with pilot reports of bird strikes in the engine and malfunctioning landing gear. Questions linger about the presence of a concrete wall at the end of the runway, which proved fatal. Critics denounce the barrier's placement as 'criminal.'
The pilot, boasting over 7,000 flight hours, appears blameless in the mishap. South Korean authorities are presently identifying five of the 179 victims, many of whom perished in the intense post-crash fire.