A fire erupted on Air Busan Flight ABL391 shortly before takeoff in Busan, leading to panic among nearly 170 passengers. Despite the imminent danger, the captain did not issue an evacuation order, resulting in chaotic scenes reminiscent of a recent aviation disaster in the country.
Inferno on Board: Narrow Escape from the Busan Plane Fire
Inferno on Board: Narrow Escape from the Busan Plane Fire
A terrifying incident occurred in South Korea involving an Air Busan flight engulfed in flames, raising safety concerns amidst recent aviation tragedies.
The night was set for millions celebrating the Lunar New Year when an Air Busan aircraft, Flight ABL391, faced a terrifying blaze at the Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, just moments before its scheduled departure to Hong Kong. The Airbus A321, already running late, became a scene of chaos as flames were reported to be emerging from an overhead bin at the rear left of the cabin.
Witness accounts describe panic spreading among nearly 170 passengers, who were largely unaware of the fire's severity, exacerbated by the proximity to a recent aviation disaster that had left the nation in shock. Reports indicate that the fire started close to the end of the cabin, rapidly intensifying without any immediate evacuation instruction from the captain, who remained silent despite being informed of the escalating danger.
Passengers like Shin Min-su recalled the terrifying moment as "people were screaming trying to get out, but there was a line so they were stuck." As flames emerged, several individuals attempted to act by looking toward the bins, but their efforts were hampered when flight attendants urged them to remain seated instead of taking action against the blaze.
The incident, occurring barely a month after South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster on record, resonates deep within the communities affected by recent tragedies, fostering fear and anxiety about safety protocols in an already tense environment. The lack of a timely evacuation order from the crew is now under scrutiny, raising vital questions about emergency procedures and crew preparedness in handling such crises.
As investigations begin into the incident, the implications for passenger air travel safety and the psychological impact on travelers during significant festive periods are likely to be focal points for discussion in the months to follow.
