Fire in South Korean aircraft causes massive withdrawal
Firefighting officials say an Airbus aircraft set fire to an airport in South Korea city of Busan, forcing the withdrawal of all 176 people.
They say three people were injured as they were escaping from the Air Busan aircraft on the inflatable slide at the southeastern airport on Tuesday evening.
The blast is said to be started on the tail of the Hong Kong-bound plane shortly before the take-off. Firefighters – who arrived within minutes – were seen trying to set fire to the torso.
It comes less than a month after a month of the worst air disaster on South Korean soil when a Jeju air plane crashed at the southwest Muan Airport and killed 179 people. Two people survived.
The Yonhap News Agency cited the fire officials of South Korea, saying that a fire broke out at the Air Busan aircraft Gimhe International Airport on Tuesday at around 22:26 (13:26 GMT).
It said that the firefighters reached the spot after eight minutes.
Later photos show the burning aircraft surrounded by water.
The aircraft had 169 passengers and seven crew.
The cause of the fire in under investigation.
Air Busan is a budget airline with Asian Airlines.
The airport of Busan is located about 315 km (195 mi) in the south-east of the capital Seoul.
