On the crash web site at Muan Airport, you get a extremely robust sense of simply how sudden and catastrophic all of it was.
There may be an eerie quiet as the military sifts via the wreckage, choosing up tiny bits of particles and putting them in small plastic baggage.
Tens of metres from the aircraft you may see numerous passenger seats ripped aside and damaged bits of plane tools all over the place.
Solely the tail of the aircraft is seen – most of it’s destroyed. Engulfed by flames, it is clear passengers had subsequent to no probability of surviving this horrific catastrophe.
Dwell updates: South Korea aircraft crash
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South Korean troopers work close to the wreckage. Pic: AP
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The wreckage of the Jeju Air plane. Pic: Reuters
Within the airport, a morgue has been established, and households are gathered – all in grief, however some nonetheless ready for his or her family members to be formally recognized.
They’re sat in mournful silence – the arrivals board now carrying the names of these on board.
Sheltered tents have been erected to provide households privateness. There is a stillness and shock that hangs within the air.
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Short-term shelters arrange on the airport for mourners. Pic: AP
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Mourners on the airport. Pic: AP
A lot of these on board have been getting back from a Christmas vacation to Thailand. Now the family members they’ve left behind are gathering at a memorial altar – attempting to course of the aftermath of South Korea’s worst-ever aviation catastrophe.
There’s a merciless choreography to the aftermath of the nationwide tragedy enjoying out on an acute and horrifying stage for the households of the useless.
Family look exhausted. Some have slept on the terminal flooring, desperately ready for official affirmation.
Then, all of the sudden a person involves the microphone and begins to learn out a listing of eight people and asks their households to go to gate one.
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A girl prays at a memorial altar for the victims. Pic: Reuters
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Buddhists monks pray for the victims. Pic: AP
Family shortly huddle collectively and rush exterior to a bus that is ready to take them to the mortuary.
It’s a ugly course of forward for them. Lots of the our bodies are in a really poor situation. They’ll solely be recognized via DNA testing and fingerprints.
As they wait to board the bus, a bunch of girls begins to weep. It’s an outpouring of grief in a society that prioritises privateness. Most are just too upset to speak.
2:36
What we all know in regards to the aircraft crash – and what went unsuitable
However at a briefing, frustration is boiling over. Some kin are shouting at officers, indignant they’ve nonetheless not been capable of see their family members’ our bodies.
The official tells them they’re sorting via greater than 600 physique components and try laborious to keep away from any errors. It’s an uncomfortable fact that is laborious for a lot of to listen to.