RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed its condolences to the families of those who died after a plane travelling from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival on Sunday.

A passenger plane skidded off a runway at a South Korean airport, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its front landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board died in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.

The Jeju Air plane crashed while landing in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul. The Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that had arrived from Bangkok and that the crash happened at 9:03 a.m.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry also expressed its condolences to the government and people of South Korea and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

RIYADH: Preparations are complete for the start of the Baha Winter Festival. More than 67 parks and gardens, some 14 sports, and health walkways are ready to welcome visitors and residents, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The festival will boast a diverse lineup of activities and attractions across the Tihama governorates, including Al-Makhwah, Qilwah, Al-Hijrah, and Ghamid Al-Zinad, highlighting the region’s cultural, historic, and natural treasures.

Ali bin Mohammed Al-Sawat, the secretary of the Baha region and chairman of the festival’s executive committee, said the event will offer more than 280 recreational, cultural, sports, and social activities for all age groups and interests.

Al-Sawat spoke of Tihama’s unique climate and environmental diversity, stretching from the Red Sea coast to the peaks of the Sarawat Mountains.

The region’s valleys, green plains, and majestic Shada Mountain provide breathtaking views and a peaceful escape for visitors, he said.

With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shopping destinations, the area has become a prime attraction for tourists seeking to enjoy the winter season in the Kingdom, the SPA added.

With its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse activities, the Baha Winter Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.