Fire rips through plane with 176 onboard

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All passengers were safely evacuated when fire ripped through an Air Busan Airbus with 176 on board in South Korea on Tuesday.

Newsweek reached out to Airbus and Air Busan for comment via email on Wednesday.

Why It Matters

The incident came a month after South Korea’s deadliest air disaster, when a Jeju Air plane from Bangkok crashed on the runway at Muan International Airport, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew on board.

What To Know

The Air Busan departure for Hong Kong caught fire before takeoff from Gimhae International Airport in Busan around 10:26 p.m. local time Tuesday, said Yonhap news agency.

Firefighters arrived on the scene at 10:34 p.m. and all onboard were evacuated.

Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon and other officials visit the site where an Air Busan airplane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

Son Hyung-joo/AP Photo

Initially no injuries were reported, but authorities later confirmed that seven people sustained minor injuries and were being treated in hospital.

Four of these were crew members complaining of chest discomfort due to smoke inhalation, while three others, including a woman in her 70s and two people in their 50s, reported pain in their tailbones and backs.

A spokesperson for Airbus told Newsweek in an emailed statement that it was aware of the incident and was in contact with the airline.

Passengers reported hearing cracking sounds and seeing smoke from an overhead luggage compartment, Yonhap reported, citing authorities.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as the country’s prime minister, ordered an investigation into the incident, according to the Straits Times.

Videos and photos showed the plane engulfed in flames, and photos after the fire had been extinguished show the plane with a charred fuselage.

Budget airline Air Busan is a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines, which was acquired by Korean Air in December.

Busan’s airport, is about 195 miles southeast of the South Korean capital Seoul.

What People Are Saying

Acting President Choi Sang-mok said in a statement, per the Straits Times: “With some passengers even having suffered injuries while evacuating, swift follow-up measures are called for.”

An Airbus spokesperson told Newsweek: “We confirm that an Airbus A321 aircraft operated by Air Busan caught fire on the ground. We are in contact with the airline and will provide full assistance to the investigation authorities.”

What Happens Next

An investigation into the incident will shed light on the cause of the fire, and will determine if any entities are responsible for negligence.

Yonhap reported that police will review rules on carry-on luggage and the plane’s electrical systems as part of their investigation.

Gimhae International Airport continued operating normally on Wednesday, Yonhap reported, except eight Air Busan flights were canceled.

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