Synopsis
A fire incident at Busan airport, South Korea, led to injuries for seven individuals, all of whom sustained minor injuries. An Air Busan plane caught fire during takeoff preparations, prompting the evacuation of all passengers. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.Key Takeaways
- Seven people injured in Busan airplane fire.
- Minor injuries reported, including smoke inhalation.
- Air Busan flight bound for Hong Kong evacuated safely.
- Investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.
- Gimhae International Airport operations remain unaffected.
Seoul, Jan 29 (NationPress) At least seven individuals sustained injuries after a fire erupted on an airplane at Busan airport in South Korea, all reported to be minor, according to fire officials on Wednesday.
On the night of Tuesday, an Air Busan aircraft headed to Hong Kong experienced a fire at its tail while preparing for takeoff from Gimhae International Airport in Busan, located approximately 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, leading to the evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew members, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Fire officials in Busan indicated on Wednesday that seven people were being treated at local hospitals for injuries related to the fire.
Initially, authorities reported three casualties but updated the figure following further assessments.
Among the injured, four were crew members who reported chest discomfort due to smoke inhalation, while the other three – a woman in her 70s and two in their 50s – complained of tailbone and back pain.
As of Wednesday, Gimhae International Airport was functioning normally, with all 279 flights scheduled for the day operating as planned, except for eight Air Busan flights that were canceled.
On the same day, acting President Choi Sang-mok directed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the fire incident and implement immediate response measures.
“Given the high volume of flights at Gimhae Airport, I urge proactive measures to guarantee the safe operation of airplanes and avert any public inconveniences,” the government stated in a press release, quoting the acting president.
According to fire authorities, passengers who had boarded the plane observed the fire igniting in a luggage compartment, along with crackling sounds and smoke.
Speculation arose that an external battery or an electronic device inside a suitcase could have caused the fire, prompting an investigation to ascertain the cause.
The aircraft involved is a 17-year-old Airbus A321ceo model with the tail number HL7763, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a reputable database maintained by the Flight Safety Foundation.
This incident took place one month after the crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea, which tragically resulted in the deaths of all but two of the 181 people on board. This event is regarded as one of the most devastating disasters in the history of aviation in South Korea.
