Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing speaks to journalists as he arrives at the Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, Dec. 27. Yonhap

Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing expressed condolences on Sunday to the victims of the deadly plane crash at an airport in the southwestern county of Muan, which left at least 62 people dead, and their families.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash at Muan Airport today," the ambassador wrote on the social media platform X.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families, and I extend on behalf of my colleagues our sympathies to those injured," he said.

The Chinese Embassy stands "in solidarity" with Korea during this difficult time, Dai also said.

The death toll has risen to 62 from the crash that happened at 9:07 a.m. when the Jeju Air flight veered off the runway while attempting a crash landing and collided with a fence at the airport in the Muan county, about 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

Authorities presumed a landing gear malfunction likely caused the accident. (Yonhap)