Panic erupted at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday night when an Air Busan Airbus A321 carrying 169 passengers and seven crew members burst into flames moments before departure.
The aircraft, bound for Hong Kong, caught fire in its rear section, prompting a swift and dramatic evacuation. Emergency responders, alerted to the scene, quickly extinguished the blaze while passengers were rushed off the plane via emergency slides.
Authorities confirmed that one passenger sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and was transported to a nearby hospital. The cause of the fire, suspected to have originated in the tail of the aircraft, remains under investigation.
Shocking videos shared online captured thick plumes of smoke and bright flames engulfing the plane as terrified passengers scrambled to safety. The incident has put Air Busan, a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines, under intense scrutiny—especially following its recent acquisition by Korean Air.
This marks the second major aviation scare in South Korea in recent weeks. In December 2024, a Jeju Airlines flight from Bangkok crash-landed at Muan International Airport, causing multiple casualties.
Although Tuesday’s crisis ended without fatalities, it has reignited concerns over aviation safety in South Korea, with many calling for stricter oversight and enhanced maintenance protocols.
