Seoul: A passenger on an Asiana Airlines flight shocked fellow travellers and crew members when he opened an emergency exit door just minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land in Daegu, South Korea, on Friday. The incident, which caused panic onboard, has left authorities and aviation experts bewildered.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the man, described as being in his thirties, explained to the police at Daegu Dongbu Police Station that he opened the door because he felt “uncomfortable” and wanted to “get off the plane quickly.” In a bizarre twist, he also revealed that his actions were fueled by stress resulting from his recent job loss.
The unidentified man took advantage of the plane’s descent, opening the emergency exit door when the aircraft was approximately 700 feet (213 meters) above the ground. The sudden rush of air and the breach in the cabin caused a moment of chaos and panic among passengers and crew members.
As a result, nine passengers experienced breathing issues and were subsequently sent to a nearby hospital. However, after receiving medical attention for about two hours, all nine individuals were discharged, as confirmed by a fire department official.
The incident has left both aviation professionals and authorities dumbfounded. Jin Seong-hyun, a former Korean Air cabin safety official, stated that to his knowledge, such a case was unprecedented. Although instances of passengers opening emergency exits without authorization while the plane is on the ground have occurred before, an incident of this nature mid-air is highly unusual.
Responding to the incident, a South Korean transport ministry official remarked that it is technically possible to open emergency exits at or near ground level due to the similar pressures inside and outside the cabin. However, the official emphasized that such actions are strictly prohibited and can have severe consequences for the safety and well-being of everyone onboard.
Police are currently conducting investigations into the matter and plan to arrest the detained man once their inquiries are complete, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Asiana Airlines has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. However, this extraordinary event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regulations while aboard an aircraft. Authorities and airlines will likely use this incident to reassess and reinforce security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Passengers are urged to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities promptly, and always follow the instructions of the airline crew during flights.
