A passenger aircraft carrying 169 passengers and seven crew members burst into flames at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday night, triggering a swift and dramatic evacuation.
The Air Busan flight, an Airbus A321, had been preparing for departure to Hong Kong when fire erupted in the rear section of the aircraft.
Emergency responders quickly extinguished the blaze after being alerted to the incident, and all 176 people on board were safely evacuated.
One person sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and was transported to a nearby hospital, according to fire authorities. Officials believe the fire originated in the tail of the aircraft, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
Footage shared on social media captured the chaos, showing thick plumes of smoke and bright flames engulfing the plane as passengers rushed to safety.
The low-cost airline Air Busan, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Asiana Airlines, has faced increased scrutiny following the incident.
The company, which was recently acquired by Korean Air, is now working closely with aviation authorities to determine the cause of the fire.
This marks the second aviation scare in South Korea in recent weeks.
Last month, a Jeju passenger plane crash-landed at Muan International Airport after an emergency during its flight from Bangkok, resulting in multiple casualties.
Passengers aboard Tuesday’s flight commended the swift actions of the cabin crew and emergency personnel in averting a potential catastrophe.
However, the incident has raised fresh concerns about safety protocols within South Korea’s aviation industry.