ALI ROGIN: In today's other news, South Korea is in mourning following the deadliest air disaster ever on that nation's soil.

Flight 2216 was landing in the city of Muan in the southwestern part of the country, following a five hour trip back from Bangkok, Thailand, when tragedy struck.

A warning some of the images you're about to see are disturbing.

ALI ROGIN (voice-over): At 9:03 a.m. at Muan International Airport, a Jeju Air passenger plane sped down the runway, its front landing gear nowhere in sight, and slammed into a concrete wall, bursting into flames.

179 of the 181 people on board were killed.

Two crew members who were at the very back of the plane were rescued with non-life threatening injuries.

Jeon Je-Young's daughter didn't survive.

JEON JE-YOUNG, Father of Plane Crash Victim (through translator): She was almost home.

She didn't feel the need to make a call.

She thought she was coming home.

By the time she took out her phone, the plane probably had crashed.

ALI ROGIN (voice-over): Jeju Air's CEO offered contrition, but few answers.

KIM E-BAE, CEO, Jeju Air (through translator): Firstly, I bow an apology to everyone who has cherished Jeju Air.

Above all, I want to give my sincere apology and condolences to those who have lost their lives in the accident and their families.

At the moment, it is hard to presume the cause of the accident.

We have to wait for the official investigation result from the authorities.

ALI ROGIN (voice-over): Investigators are still combing through the debris of the Boeing 737 800, trying to piece together what happened.

South Korea's Transport Ministry says a control tower warned the plane against possible bird strikes and the pilot sent out a distress signal shortly before the crash.

The U.S. sent a team of investigators led by the National Transportation Safety Board to assist.

In a post on X, Boeing said they were in contact with Jeju Air and extended their condolences.

The disaster comes as Seoul is embroiled in an unprecedented political crisis triggered by successive impeachments of the country's top two officials.

The deputy prime minister, Choi Sang-mok is now the acting president.

He expressed his sympathy to those grieving and declared the crash area a special disaster zone.

CHOI SANG-MOK, Acting President, South Korea (through translator): I offer my deepest condolences to those who tragically lost their lives.

I feel an indescribable sorrow and profound regret.

We are fully mobilizing all possible resources with all ministries, the local governments and relevant associations to dedicate every effort to recovery and support for those who receive the harm.

ALI ROGIN (voice-over): But amid political turmoil, some residents are uncertain about how the government will deal with the incident.

YOON HO-SEOK, South Korean Resident (through translator): Now, with the presidency vacant and with things like this happening, I am quite concerned that the handling of the accident may not go smoothly.

I am feeling more anxious and I am heavy hearted.

ALI ROGIN (voice-over): Leaders around the world expressed their sympathies, including President Biden, China's President Xi Jinping and Pope Francis.