"A bird struck the wing, should I make a will?" These were among the final, haunting messages sent by a passenger aboard the Jeju Air flight that tragically crashed at South Korea's Muan International Airport on Sunday morning.

The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew, was en route from Bangkok to Muan when it veered off the runway during landing. The incident occurred at 9:07 a.m. local time, with reports suggesting the plane’s landing gear failed to deploy, causing it to collide with a concrete fence and erupt into flames.

Final Moments Shared via Messaging App

A man waiting at Muan International Airport for a family member aboard the flight revealed chilling messages he had received moments before the crash. Using the KakaoTalk messaging platform, the passenger had written, “A bird struck the wing, and we can’t land.”

When asked how long the issue had been ongoing, the passenger replied, “Just now. Should I make a will?” Tragically, no further communication was possible after that message.

Devastating Loss of Life

The crash claimed the lives of at least 177 people, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster. Social media videos captured the horrifying moment the airliner skidded off the runway, belly-landing before crashing into a wall and erupting in a fiery explosion.

Two crew members, a man and a woman, were pulled from the wreckage, both found in the tail section of the aircraft. They are the only known survivors, while two individuals remain unaccounted for.

Investigations Underway

According to Muan Fire Chief Lee Jung-hyun, officials are investigating potential causes, including a bird strike and adverse weather conditions. The crash site remains a grim scene, with the wreckage surrounded by the smell of aviation fuel and the devastating aftermath of the fire. Rescue workers in protective gear continue to search the area, while soldiers comb through the surrounding bushes for evidence and any sign of the missing passengers.

As families mourn and authorities probe the causes of the crash, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of robust safety measures.