Biden and world leaders share condolences after South Korea's deadliest plane crash
Washington DC - President Joe Biden and other world leaders sent condolences to South Korea on Sunday after the country suffered its deadliest airplane crash, with 179 people killed when their aircraft went up in flames.
Only two people survived when the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 plane skidded off the runway and slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport.
As relatives of those on board gathered at the airport in grief, President Joe Biden said he and his wife, Jill Biden, are "deeply saddened" by the news.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy," Biden said in a statement released by the White House, adding that Washington is ready "to provide any necessary assistance."
Other world leaders also expressed their sympathy as South Korea mourns those lost in the deadly crash.
China "shocked"
Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was "shocked" to learn of the crash, in a message to South Korea's acting president Choi Sang-mok.
"I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," he said, quoted by China's state broadcaster CCTV.
EU "heartbroken"
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was "heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan."
"As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief," the European Commission president said.
Pope offers prayers
Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican that he joins "in prayer for the survivors and the dead."
"My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash," Francis said.
France mourns "terrible toll"
France's foreign ministry said that Paris learnt "with great emotion the terrible toll" and sends condolences to the affected families.
Germany sees "incredible loss"
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is "yet another blow to the nation's heart" after "a difficult period" – alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul.
"This is an incredible loss and pain" for the friends and families of those killed, Steinmeier said.
Iran sends condolences
Tehran expressed its "condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand," the departure point of the plane which had two Thai nationals on board.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei addressed "the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured of this tragic incident."
Turkey "deeply saddened"
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X.
Spain "profoundly shocked"
Spain's foreign ministry said that Madrid was "profoundly shocked by the terrible accident", sending condolences and "all our solidarity" to those affected.
IATA "shocked and saddened"
"We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew on the flight and their loved ones," the International Air Transport Association, which represents some 340 airlines that comprise 80% of air traffic, said in a statement.
A bird strike and adverse weather conditions were cited by authorities as likely causes of the tragic crash.
Cover photo: Jung Yeon-je / AFP