Türkiye 'deeply saddened' over South Korean plane crash

ISTANBUL

Türkiye is "deeply saddened" by Sunday’s plane crash in South Korea that killed 179 people, said the nation’s president.

“On behalf of myself and the nation, I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, and to the people and government of friendly South Korea,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Foreign Ministry also released a statement extending Türkiye’s condolences and wished for “a speedy recovery to the injured.”

After reportedly facing landing gear problems, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers and crew caught fire this morning while landing at Muan International Airport in the southern part of the country.

South Korean authorities confirmed 179 deaths, with two survivors, after the plane crashed 288 kilometers (179 miles) southwest of the capital Seoul.