President William Ruto has expressed his condolences following the tragic Jeju Air accident that claimed over 170 lives in South Korea.
In a heartfelt statement, President Ruto conveyed Kenya's solidarity with the victims’ families and the South Korean people during this sorrowful time.
"We are devastated by the Jeju Air accident that has claimed more than 170 lives. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and the people of South Korea at this sorrowful time," President Ruto said.
Death toll in South Korea plane crash hit 177 on Sunday afternoon, December 29.
181 people were on the plane in total - with two survivors having been taken to the hospital earlier.
Witnesses who spoke to South Korea's Yonhap news agency said they saw sparks and heard an explosion before the crash.
Yoo Jae-yong, 41, who was staying near the airport, tells Yonhap he saw a spark on the right wing shortly before the crash.
Kim Yong-cheol, 70, tells the agency the plane failed to land initially and circled back to try again.
Kim says he saw "black smoke billowing into the sky" after hearing a "loud explosion".
"I saw the plane descending and thought it was about to land when I noticed a flash of light," another witness named Cho adds. "Then there was a loud bang followed by smoke in the air, and then I heard a series of explosions."
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who held an emergency meeting in Seoul on Sunday and shortly after declared a special disaster zone in Muan.
