All but two of the 181 people aboard the Jeju Air passenger jet died after the plane crashed while landing at Muan International Airport.
Investigators on Thursday raided offices at the airport, the Busan Regional Aviation Administration’s Muan branch and Jeju Air’s Seoul headquarters.
While no suspects have been named, police are focusing on several key areas of investigation, including communications between the control tower and pilots in the critical 10 minutes before the crash.
The investigation team is examining the airport’s localizer equipment near the runway and reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance history.
Officials plan to analyze all evidence collected to address concerns raised by media reports regarding the crash.
Later in the day police banned Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae and another company official from leaving the country pending the probe.
Authorities are also cracking down on online harassment targeting victims’ families. Police are investigating four cases of malicious posts and have removed 125 pieces of harmful content from social media platforms.
Twenty-four victims’ bodies have been released to their families, and 10 funeral services are currently underway. DNA analysis has been completed for 147 of the victims to match separated remains, while efforts continue to identify additional remains.
Recovery teams have retrieved about 600 personal belongings from the wreckage site. Officials began returning identifiable items to families on Wednesday afternoon.
Some damaged electronic devices will undergo forensic analysis with family consent, potentially providing critical information about the aircraft’s final moments.
The labor ministry has announced plans to issue guidance to employers, requesting them to grant bereavement leave to victims’ families.
Search operations continue across an 800-meter by 300-meter area beyond the initial crash site, with special forces conducting detailed sweeps.
Officials are also working to return victims’ vehicles from the airport parking lot to their families.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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