South Korean investigators on Friday began lifting the wreckage of the Jeju Air plane that crashed five days ago, killing 179 people in the worst aviation disaster on its soil, AFP reporters saw.

Jeju Air will reduce around 1,900 flights following a crash that killed 179 out of 181 on board. The airline plans to cut 15% of operations mainly on international routes.

Jeju Air could face severe consequences, including a suspension of operations, pending the outcome of an investigation into a fatal crash at Muan International Airport. The incident, which occurred during landing,