Seven Injured as Fire Erupts on Air Busan Flight in South Korea

South Korean prosecutors have indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on rebellion charges linked to his recent imposition of martial law, which occurred on December 3, 2024. The indictment, which could result in life imprisonment or even death if Yoon is convicted, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political crisis, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Yoon's martial law decree, criticized as alarming by many and likened to past dictatorial practices, was quickly overturned by the National Assembly, which unanimously voted against it. In his defense, Yoon insists that the martial law was a necessary measure to draw attention to threats posed by the liberal-controlled legislature, referring to assembly members as “criminals,” as reported by South Korean media outlets including Yonhap. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to formally dismiss Yoon or reinstate him, further complicating the political landscape in South Korea. Yoon has denied all wrongdoing and claims that the military presence aimed to ensure order during the assembly’s deliberations.

A fire broke out on an Air Busan Airbus A321 at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea on Tuesday night, leading to an emergency evacuation of 169 passengers and seven crew members. The incident occurred just moments before the flight was scheduled to take off for Hong Kong. Initial reports indicate that the fire may have been sparked by a portable battery stored in an overhead bin, which ignited and caused smoke to fill the cabin. Although the fire heavily damaged almost half of the aircraft's fuselage, its wings and engines remained unaffected. Seven individuals suffered injuries, with one person currently hospitalized. Dramatic footage from local media depicted flames engulfing the rear section of the aircraft as thick smoke poured from the interior. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of chaos as passengers and crew members quickly initiated an evacuation using inflatable slides. The South Korean transport ministry has announced that an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with further findings to be disclosed in due course. This incident follows a recent aviation tragedy in the country, where a Jeju Air flight crash-landed, leading to significant casualties.

A serious incident occurred late Tuesday night at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, when an Air Busan flight caught fire shortly before its scheduled departure to Hong Kong. The Airbus A321ceo was engulfed in flames at approximately 10:30 PM local time. Fortunately, all 169 passengers and seven crew members aboard were safely evacuated, with three individuals sustaining minor injuries during the emergency. Authorities confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway. Busan Mayor Park Heong-Joon has called for a thorough review of aviation safety protocols in response to this incident. “We can't confirm the exact cause yet, but this significant accident serves as an opportunity to evaluate our entire aviation system,” he stated. This incident follows a recent deadly plane crash involving Jeju Air in Muan, which resulted in the tragic loss of 179 lives. The increasing frequency of aviation accidents has left some citizens in South Korea feeling anxious about flying. One traveler in Seoul expressed concern, saying, “I’m a little nervous and worried about so many accidents happening.” Airbus has acknowledged the incident and is in contact with Air Busan. At this point, the airline and its parent company, Asiana Airlines, have not responded to inquiries for further information regarding the incident.