MK socks South Korea, regarding the Muan plane crash on December 29, 2024. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, carrying 181 people, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea after skidding off the runway. Photo: VCG" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-29/ddaad418-e43a-4869-a19e-e916c49df275.jpeg" />

People watch the news at a station in Seoul, South Korea, regarding the Muan plane crash on December 29, 2024. Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, carrying 181 people, crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea after skidding off the runway. Photo: VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of condolences to South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok over the heavy casualties in the crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said he was shocked to learn that the crash has caused heavy loss of human lives. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, and wished an early recovery of the injured.

A passenger plane carrying 181 including six crew members veered off runway and crashed at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, around 9:07 am on Sunday.

The Accident Investigation Committee has retrieved two flight recorders of the crashed passenger plane, local media KBS reported on Sunday, citing South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. 

The authorities had confirmed 179 deaths, and 2 rescued from the accident, according to South Korean firefighting agency, Yonhap reported.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Sunday announced a period of national mourning over a deadly plane crash, according to his office. He declared a seven-day national mourning period, effective starting Sunday, lasting until midnight on Saturday.

A bird strike and adverse weather likely caused the fatal Jeju Air crash in South Korea, the local fire chief said Sunday, as video showed the plane being engulfed in flames on landing. "The cause of the accident is presumed to be a bird strike combined with adverse weather conditions. However, the exact cause will be announced following a joint investigation," Lee Jeong-hyun, chief of Muan fire station, said during a briefing, the AFP reported.