Preliminary assessments from South Korea’s transport ministry revealed that communication logs indicated the airport’s control tower had issued a bird strike warning to the aircraft shortly before the crash. The plane had also been given permission to divert to another airport.

A distress signal was sent from the aircraft moments before it went down. Investigators have since recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which will be analyzed to uncover what led to the disaster.

Jeju Air issued a “deep apology” for the crash, pledging to “do the utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident.”

Airline chief Kim E-bae expressed “full responsibility” for the tragedy, emphasizing that routine checks had not revealed any mechanical issues with the aircraft. He stated that the company would await the results of the government’s investigation into the crash.

Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, has offered to assist in the aftermath, stating: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”

This heartbreaking incident comes on the heels of another recent aviation tragedy, where an Azerbaijan Airlines flight carrying 67 people crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, resulting in 38 fatalities.