On Tuesday night, a passenger plane carrying 169 passengers and seven crew members caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, forcing a quick and dramatic evacuation.
The Air Busan flight, an Airbus A321, was prepared to depart for Hong Kong when a fire broke out in the aircraft’s rear portion.
After being notified of the event, emergency responders rapidly doused the fire, and all 176 passengers were safely evacuated.
According to fire officials, one person received minor injuries during the evacuation and was taken to a local hospital. Officials believe the fire started in the aircraft’s tail, while the exact reason is still being investigated.
Footage published on social media revealed the commotion, with heavy plumes of smoke and blinding flames engulfing the jet as passengers fled for safety.
Following the event, the low-cost airline Air Busan, a subsidiary of South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines, has come under increasing investigation.
The company, which was recently acquired by Korean Air, is currently collaborating with aviation authorities to identify the origin of the incident.
This is the second aviation worry in South Korea in recent weeks.
Last month, a Jeju passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport after experiencing an accident on its journey from Bangkok, killing several people.
Passengers on Tuesday’s flight praised the cabin crew and emergency services for acting quickly to avert a potential disaster.
However, the event has renewed questions about safety measures in South Korea’s aviation industry.