Seoul, South Korea:
World leaders on Sunday offered their condolences to South Korea after the country suffered its worst plane crash in which a plane burst into flames and killed 179 people.
Only two people survived when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway and crashed into a wall at Muan International Airport.
Leaders expressed their condolences as relatives of the passengers gathered at the airport in mourning.
China ‘shocked’
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a message to South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok that he was “shocked” to learn of the crash.
“I express my deepest condolences to the victims, my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, and my best wishes for the early recovery of the injured,” he said, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
EU “heartbreaking”
EU Prime Minister Ursula von der Leyen said: “I am heartbroken after seeing the footage of the plane crash in Muan.”
“Europe is your partner and supports you in this time of sadness,” the European Commission President said.
the pope offers a prayer
Pope Francis, who visited South Korea 10 years ago, told worshipers at the Vatican that he would join them “in prayer for the living and for the dead.”
“My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are grieving today after the dramatic plane crash,” Francis said.
France mourns ‘terrible victims’
France’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the city of Paris learned “with deep emotion of the tragic loss” and expressed its condolences to the families of those affected.
Germany experiences ‘incredible losses’
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the accident was “a further blow to the soul of the nation” after a “difficult period”, alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul.
“This is an incredible loss and pain” for the victims’ friends and family, Steinmeier said.
greek “deep sorrow”
Greece’s Foreign Ministry told X news agency that it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident” and offered its condolences “at this difficult time.”
Iran expresses condolences
The Iranian government expressed its “condolences and sympathies to the governments and people of South Korea and Thailand,” where the plane with two Thai nationals on board departed.
“We addressed the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in this tragic incident,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagay said.
Israel “stands united”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic crash in South Korea,” and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
“Israel stands in solidarity with South Korea during this difficult time,” Saar said on X.
Saudi Arabia expresses “sympathy”
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its “heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of South Korea, a friendly country.”
UN Secretary-General “deeply saddened”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres was “deeply saddened” and expressed “solidarity with the Korean people and the Korean government at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General also wishes a speedy and full recovery to those injured in this tragic event,” the spokesperson said.
IATA: “Shocked” and “Sad”
The International Air Transport Association said, “We are shocked and saddened by the accident of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew of the flight, as well as their loved ones.” Air Traffic said in a statement.
Spain “Big shock”
Spain’s Foreign Ministry said Madrid was “deeply shocked by the tragic accident,” expressing its condolences to those affected and “expressing the solidarity of all of us.”
Türkiye “deep sadness”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X that he was “deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend the Republic of Korea.”
Serbia: “distrust”
President Aleksandar Vučić wrote that X was “deeply shaken as we watch in disbelief the horrific scenes at the crash site, and our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives.” added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
