On the crash website at Muan Airport, you get a extremely sturdy sense of simply how sudden and catastrophic all of it was.
There’s an eerie quiet as the military sifts by means of the wreckage, selecting up tiny bits of particles and inserting them in small plastic baggage.
Tens of metres from the airplane you possibly can see numerous passenger seats ripped aside and damaged bits of plane tools in every single place.
Solely the tail of the airplane is seen – most of it’s destroyed. Engulfed by flames, it is clear passengers had subsequent to no likelihood of surviving this horrific catastrophe.
Reside updates: South Korea plane crash
The wreckage of the Jeju Air plane. Pic: Reuters
Within the airport, a morgue has been established, and households are gathered – all in grief, however some nonetheless ready for his or her family members to be formally recognized.
They’re sat in mournful silence – the arrivals board now carrying the names of these on board.
Sheltered tents have been erected to present households privateness. There is a stillness and shock that hangs within the air.
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Momentary shelters arrange on the airport for mourners. Pic: AP
Mourners on the airport. Pic: AP
A lot of these on board have been getting back from a Christmas vacation to Thailand. Now the family members they’ve left behind are gathering at a memorial altar – attempting to course of the aftermath of South Korea’s worst-ever aviation catastrophe.
There’s a merciless choreography to the aftermath of the nationwide tragedy enjoying out on an acute and horrifying stage for the households of the useless.
Family look exhausted. Some have slept on the terminal flooring, desperately ready for official affirmation.
Then, out of the blue a person involves the microphone and begins to learn out a listing of eight people and asks their households to go to gate one.
A lady prays at a memorial altar for the victims. Pic: Reuters
Buddhists monks pray for the victims. Pic: AP
Family rapidly huddle collectively and rush outdoors to a bus that is ready to take them to the mortuary.
It’s a ugly course of forward for them. Most of the our bodies are in a really poor situation. They’ll solely be recognized by means of DNA testing and fingerprints.
As they wait to board the bus, a gaggle of girls begins to weep. It’s an outpouring of grief in a society that prioritises privateness. Most are just too upset to speak.
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However at a briefing, frustration is boiling over. Some kinfolk are shouting at officers, indignant they’ve nonetheless not been in a position to see their family members’ our bodies.
The official tells them they’re sorting by means of greater than 600 physique elements and are attempting onerous to keep away from any errors. It’s an uncomfortable reality that is onerous for a lot of to listen to.
