South Jeolla province Fire Service Headquarters said that number is expected to grow as recovery operations continue.
The Jeju Air jetliner was carrying 175 passengers and six crew when it crashed on landing at the airport in Muan county, just after 9 a.m. local time Sunday (7 p.m. ET Saturday).
Emergency responders said they had rescued two people from the plane, according to the fire department.
Rescue workers are focusing on reaching people inside the tail section of the plane.
Images of the crash published by the Yonhap news agency showed only the tail section of the plane intact, surrounded by flames.
According to the fire department, the accident was caused by a landing gear malfunction.
This is a developing story and will be updated.