Seoul: A fire broke out in an Air Busan Airbus aircraft at Gimhae International Airport while it was preparing to depart for Hong Kong, officials confirmed.
The Air Busan authorities reported that all 169 passengers and seven crew members were safely evacuated. However, three individuals sustained minor injuries due to the incident.
The fire was reported to have started inside the aircraft at 10:30 PM local time. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency stated that the fire originated from the tail section of the plane. Later footage from the news agency showed burnt-out holes on the aircraft.
Air Busan is a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines, which was acquired by Korean Air in December 2024. Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer, stated that it is aware of the incident and is in contact with Air Busan regarding the situation.
This incident follows a major aviation accident last month. On December 29, 2024, a Jeju Air flight (7C2216) from Bangkok, Thailand, crashed at Muan International Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy, causing it to skid off the runway and collide with the airport's outer wall. Tragically, 176 people lost their lives, while two crew members survived.
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport confirmed that the accident occurred at 9 AM local time when the aircraft, carrying 181 people, attempted to land at Muan International Airport in the country’s southern region.
