179 people killed in South Korean airplane crash: media outlets

(ECNS) -- A total of 179 people aboard a South Korean airplane were believed to have been killed on Sunday, multiple media outlets said citing the local fire authorities.  

The Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok, Thailand skidded off the runway and crashed into the outer wall of the runway, with its fuselage broken in half and catching fire.

Carrying 175 passengers, including 173 South Koreans and two Thais, as well as six flight attendants on board, the plane crashed while attempting to land at the Muan International Airport, some 290 km southwest of the capital Seoul, at about 9:07 a.m. local time (0007 GMT).

Only two were rescured.

The fire authorities estimated that the accident may have been caused by a bird strike that led to landing gear failure.