A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok carrying 181 passengers and crew crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport in southwest South Korea on Sunday morning.

All but two people on board Flight 7C2216 are presumed deadaccording to the local fire department. Two people were pulled from the rear and are being treated at a nearby hospital. Of the 175 passengers on board the flight, 173 were Korean nationals and two were Thai nationals, officials said.

The Boeing 737-800 attempted a belly landing at around 9:03 a.m. local time after its landing gear reportedly failed to extend. The plane was seen skidding down the runway before crashing into the airport’s perimeter wall, breaking into two pieces at the front and tail and bursting into flames.

Witnesses reported hearing loud “bangs” sounds before the plane crashed into the wall. Local broadcaster MBC broadcast footage that appeared to show a bird strike as the plane descended. Officials also said weather conditions may have played a role.

If the death toll is confirmed, it would be South Korea’s worst domestic civil aviation disaster It is the first major accident involving a low-cost airline in the country’s history.

South Korea’s incumbent President Choi Sang-mok arrived at the scene about 300 km southwest of Seoul and has ordered “all available equipment and personnel” to be mobilized for rescue operations at the airport. “No words of comfort will be enough for the families who have suffered such a tragedy,” he said at the scene.

Jeju Air general manager Kim E-bae has officially apologized and said: “Above all, we express our deepest condolences and apologies to the families of the passengers who lost their lives in this accident. The cause of the accident is currently difficult to determine and the official investigation results from the responsible authorities must be awaited. Regardless of the cause, as CEO I feel deeply responsible for this incident.”

A Boeing spokesman told the Guardian: “We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding Flight 2216 and stand ready to support them.”. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew.”

South Korea’s national railway operator has announced a special train service to help victims’ families reach the disaster site. A bullet train leaves Seoul at 3:00 p.m. local time and arrives in Mokpo. According to the railway company, survivors can use these services free of charge and additional trains will be organized if necessary. Mokpo Station is the closest station to Muan International Airport.

The Muan-Bangkok route was part of the airport’s first international services in 17 yearslaunched just three weeks ago, on December 8th.

Experts said South Korea’s aviation industry has a solid track record when it comes to safety, and this was the first fatal accident experienced by Jeju Air, one of South Korea’s largest budget airlines, since its founding in 2005.