An Airbus plane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on January 28, 2025, leading to the evacuation of all 176 individuals on board. Fire authorities reported that the incident occurred shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to take off for Hong Kong.
- Airbus plane caught fire in Busan airport.
- All 176 people evacuated safely.
- Four injuries reported during evacuation.
- Fire started near tail before take-off.
- Recent air disaster killed 179 people.
- Investigation underway for fire cause.
Four people sustained injuries during the evacuation process, which involved using inflatable slides. The fire reportedly began at the tail of the plane and spread to the fuselage, prompting a swift response from firefighters who arrived eight minutes after the blaze started.
The incident at Gimhae International Airport involved an Air Busan aircraft, a budget airline affiliated with Asiana Airlines. The fire ignited at approximately 22:26 local time (13:26 GMT) and quickly spread, necessitating the evacuation of 169 passengers and seven crew members. Firefighters were able to control the situation within minutes, as images from the scene showed them dousing the flames.
Injuries reported during the evacuation included minor injuries sustained by passengers as they exited the plane using inflatable slides. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with authorities working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
This event comes on the heels of a tragic aviation disaster in South Korea, where a Jeju Air plane crash-landed at Muan airport less than a month prior, resulting in the deaths of 179 people. The recent fire at Gimhae International Airport raises concerns about aviation safety in the region, especially following the recent crash.
The fire on the Air Busan aircraft highlights the importance of emergency preparedness in aviation. With all passengers evacuated safely, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of quick response measures in ensuring passenger safety during emergencies.
