At least 28 people were confirmed dead on Sunday after an airliner veered off the runway and crashed at South Korea's Muan International Airport, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The tragic accident involved a Jeju Air plane carrying 175 passengers and six crew members on a flight from Thailand. It occurred during the plane's landing at the airport, located in the southern part of South Korea.

Authorities reported that two survivors have been found, and rescue operations are ongoing to search for others, particularly in the tail section of the aircraft. An airport official told Reuters that efforts were continuing to pull people from the wreckage.

Photos shared by local media showed smoke and flames consuming parts of the aircraft, painting a harrowing scene of the disaster.

In response to the crash, Acting President Choi Sung-mok, recently named interim leader amid South Korea’s ongoing political crisis, has instructed authorities to focus all available resources on the rescue mission, according to a statement from his office.

A spokesperson for Jeju Air stated that the airline is currently verifying the details of the incident.

This devastating accident has shocked the nation and drawn attention to the importance of aviation safety, as emergency teams work tirelessly to provide aid and recover those still trapped.