MUAN, South Korea: The stench of gasoline hangs over Muan International Airport. Behind a police cordon, plane seats, suitcases and twisted bits of metal are scattered, close to the wrecked fuselage of Jeju Air flight 2216. The Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea crashed as it attempted an emergency landing Sunday, smashing into a wall and bursting into flames, leaving all but two people aboard feared dead. Hundreds of emergency workers put out the fire and combed through the wreckage, but only two people, both flight attendants, were rescued alive, with 177 confirmed dead. By late afternoon, floodlights illuminated the twisted wreckage as a huge yellow crane lifted the fuselage, allowing officials to continue the search and rescue mission. Behind a police cordon tape stretched across the wire fence at the edge of the runway, plane seats and other chunks of metal could be seen, offering a glimpse into the catastrophic impact of the crash. Inside the airport terminal, family members gathered to wait for news, many looking stunned and tearful. One woman was carried away on a stretcher, apparently having passed out from shock. The boards typically used for arrival and departure information were instead displaying the names, dates of birth and nationalities of the victims. “I had a son on board that plane ... He has yet to be identified,” one elderly man waiting in the airport lounge, who asked not to be named, told AFP Wailing and screaming echoed through the two-storey airport, as the names and identities of victims were confirmed. Many of the passengers, who were all Korean nationals except for two Thais, had been returning home after their winter holidays. “My younger sister went to heaven today,” one 65-year-old woman who gave only her surname Jo told AFP. Her sister had been in Bangkok with her friends on holiday, the woman, wearing a mask and a grey knit hat, said. “My husband is now trying to check whether she’s been identified,” Jo added. The flight had 175 passengers, including two Thai nationals, and six crew onboard. According to authorities, the youngest passenger was a three-year-old boy and the oldest was a 78-year-old. Five of the dead were children under the age of 10, authorities said, citing the passenger manifest. The only sounds near the crash site were the whirring of cameras and the murmur of reporters broadcasting live, as hundreds of relatives, lost for words, awaited news of their loved ones aboard the burned plane. In the area around the runway, AFP reporters could see duty-free booklets and sanitary gloves worn by the flight crew scattered across the field, not far from the charred tail of the aircraft. It is the deadliest aviation accident on South Korean soil and the worst in years involving the country’s carriers. A moment of silence was held at sporting events, including volleyball and basketball games, on Sunday. All major South Korean broadcasters changed their schedules to emergency news programming. End-of-the-year entertainment award shows and comedy shows were cancelled. The accident comes as South Korea is in the midst of political chaos, after suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached earlier this month over his ill-fated attempt to declare martial law. The acting president was also impeached Friday, leaving the country with its third leader in three weeks. Civic groups said they were reviewing whether to postpone mass impeachment rallies in light of the accident. Heartbreaking stories of family members were also shared online, with one saying his mother and his five aunts were one the plane. “I was told they would arrive around 8:50 am today, so I came to the airport to pick up my mother and aunts, but I’ve heard no word from them,” he told local media anxiously. The message from the parent and passenger reads: “Wait, a bird is stuck in the wing. Unable to land now... Should I leave a will?” It was the last message, sent at 9:01 am. Their child replies: “Why can’t I make a call with you?”. It was delivered at 9:37 am and has remained unread. — AFPShort Interest in G. Willi-Food International Ltd. (NASDAQ:WILC) Expands By 102.3%
Russia says to halt gas exports to Moldova from Jan 1
IBC speeded up recovery of Rs 10.22 lakh crore from defaulting firms: GovtAP News Summary at 3:50 p.m. ESTApple has officially halted the sale of its iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (3rd generation) models across 29 European countries, following the implementation of a landmark European Union directive requiring all smartphones and portable electronic devices to adopt the USB-C charging standard. The ban, which affects both online and physical retail stores, comes as Apple works to clear remaining inventory in compliance with new regulations that aim to reduce electronic waste. European Union’s New Regulation The European Union’s new regulation, which went into effect on December 28, 2024, now requires all electronic devices sold in its 27 member states to have a USB-C charging port. This broad mandate aims to standardize charging cables for all devices, lowering the quantity of cables users require and, eventually, reducing the growing problem of electronic waste. Apple and other companies were given until the end of 2024 to switch their devices to the USB-C standard, even though the regulation was first introduced in 2022. Apple, which had long used its proprietary Lightning connector in iPhones, initially fought against the regulation, arguing that such a mandate could stifle innovation and limit its design options. However, following legal challenges, Apple ultimately acquiesced to the EU’s decision, starting with the release of the iPhone 15, which switched to USB-C. As a result, the iPhone 14 series, which still relied on the Lightning connector, became incompatible with the new law, leading to their removal from sale. The ban is in effect across all 27 EU member states, including major markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden. In addition to the EU countries, Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU but closely follows its regulations, has also seen the ban extended to the iPhone 14 and SE models. Interestingly, the decision also affects Northern Ireland due to its unique post-Brexit trade rules, which align with EU regulations despite the U.K. leaving the union. As of December 27, 2024, customers visiting Apple’s websites in these regions can no longer purchase the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, or iPhone SE (3rd generation), with only the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16 series, and newer models now available for purchase. Physical retail stores across these countries have also stopped selling these devices, marking the end of an era for Apple’s flagship models. Apple’s Remaining Stock Despite the official cessation of sales, Apple is working to clear out any remaining stock of the affected iPhones. Third-party resellers, such as Amazon, continue to offer these devices in select countries, though availability is expected to dwindle quickly. For example, as of the latest reports, the iPhone 14 is still available for sale on Amazon in Spain, but this may not be the case for much longer. Apple has also expressed its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for consumers. The iPhone 15 and newer models, which feature USB-C ports, remain available for purchase, and customers who are still interested in the iPhone SE can expect a new iteration of the model in spring 2025. While the iPhone SE’s future remains uncertain, the discontinuation of the Lightning port marks a pivotal moment for the device. The iPhone 14 and SE models are expected to be phased out entirely by the fall of 2025, which may coincide with the end of their lifecycle worldwide. For now, the focus is on Apple’s next-generation models, with rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 suggesting it will be the company’s thinnest phone yet. There are also growing indications that Apple is exploring foldable technology for future devices, further signaling the company’s evolution beyond the traditional smartphone form. ALSO READ: What Makes The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra A Game-Changer? Unveiling Its Incredible Design And Features!