Passenger Plane Catches Fire Before Takeoff at South Korea’s Busan Airport
Oman Horizon Bulletin
Busan, South Korea – January 30 – A passenger aircraft operated by Air Busan caught fire late Tuesday night at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea’s southeastern port city. The incident occurred just moments before the aircraft was set to take off for Hong Kong, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Fire Breaks Out in Aircraft’s Tail Section
According to local authorities, the fire ignited at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time (1330 UTC) in the tail section of the plane. Emergency crews were swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the fire and ensure the safety of everyone on board.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, aviation safety officials are working to determine whether technical malfunctions or external factors may have played a role in the incident.
Evacuation and Casualties
The flight had a total of 169 passengers and seven crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Emergency responders confirmed that one individual sustained minor injuries and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Recent Air Incidents in South Korea
This event comes just weeks after South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in recent history. Last month, a Jeju Air flight crash-landed and exploded in Muan County, southwest of the country, after departing from Thailand. That tragic accident resulted in the loss of 179 lives out of the 181 passengers and crew on board.
A preliminary investigation into the Muan County crash, released earlier this week, found traces of bird DNA in the aircraft’s engines, raising concerns about the role of bird strikes in the accident.
Authorities Investigate the Busan Airport Fire
Following Tuesday’s fire at Gimhae International Airport, South Korean aviation officials have launched an extensive investigation to assess potential safety risks, aircraft maintenance procedures, and fire prevention measures at the country’s airports.
Passengers and airlines are advised to remain vigilant, and authorities are expected to release further details regarding the cause of the incident once the investigation progresses.
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