BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA – A passenger plane in South Korea became engulfed in smoke just before takeoff, prompting a frantic evacuation of all 176 people on board. The incident unfolded when smoke began to fill the cabin of an Air Busan aircraft, moments before it was set to depart.
Security footage captured the chaos as smoke billowed from the aircraft, with fire crews rushing to extinguish the flames. The plane, an Airbus model operated by the South Korean carrier, was still on the tarmac when the fire broke out, leading to an emergency evacuation of 169 passengers and seven crew members.
Authorities suspect that the fire originated in the tail section of the plane. Miraculously, only three individuals sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. This incident comes just a month after a deadly aviation accident in South Korea, where a Jeju Air Boeing 737 crash-landed and caught fire, resulting in 179 fatalities.
The recent events have raised concerns about the safety protocols of budget airlines in the region. Investigators are now probing the cause of the latest fire, while officials have urged airlines to enhance their safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The aviation industry in South Korea is under scrutiny following these back-to-back emergencies. The government has called for a comprehensive review of safety standards, particularly for low-cost carriers, to ensure passenger safety.
As investigations continue, passengers and crew involved in the Air Busan incident are being praised for their quick response, which helped avoid a potential tragedy. The airline has yet to comment on the specifics of the fire or the ongoing investigation.
Safety in the skies remains a top priority for South Korean aviation authorities, who are now working closely with international experts to uncover the root causes of these incidents and implement necessary changes.
The swift evacuation and minimal injuries in the recent fire incident have been attributed to the effective training and preparedness of the crew, highlighting the importance of rigorous safety protocols.