Wong’s message on ‘devastating’ plane crash

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has passed on Australia’s condolences to South Korea after the country experienced its deadliest plane crash.

At least 179 people were killed on Sunday when Jeju Air flight 7C2216 skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport and erupted in flames.

Just two crew members — a man and a woman — survived.

“The news of a plane crash at Muan Airport in the Republic of Korea today is devastating,” Senator Wong posted on social media.

“Australia’s thoughts and deepest condolences are with the victims and their loved ones.”

Eyewitness footage of the crash flooded social media moments after it happened.

The videos showed sparks shooting from the aircraft as it slid at speed along the runway on its belly.

No landing gear was visible.

The plane flung debris skyward as it continued off the runway before slamming into a barrier and exploding.

The flight was arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers on-board.

Authorities said the two surviving crew members were rescued from the tail section of the plane and getting treated for burns varying in severity.

Airport authorities said a bird strike may have caused a landing gear malfunction, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.