A serious incident at Gimhae International Airport on January 28, 2025, has prompted the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to launch an immediate investigation. The fire outbreak occurred on Air Busan flight BX391, which was preparing for takeoff to Hong Kong, resulting in the emergency evacuation of 176 individuals onboard, including 169 passengers and 6 crew members.
The fire started around 10:15 PM local time when the aircraft was still on the ground. Passengers reported seeing smoke emanate from the overhead bin at the back of the plane. One passenger recounted, “Passengers yelled fire and immediately opened all the emergency exits to escape. There was no announcement or anything…” indicating there was no formal communication from the crew to guide them during the emergency.
The chaotic scene led to the emergency slides being used for evacuation, with reports stating several individuals were injured during the process. Among those hurt, seven were transported to hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, including bruising and back pain. Amongst the injured were individuals aged 50, 60, and 70.
Firefighters arrived swiftly at the aiding of the fire, which was tackled and eventually brought under control by approximately 11:31 PM—about one hour and 16 minutes post-incident onset. The rapid progression of the fire forced participants to rely on their instincts for escape rather than readily prepared safety measures put forth by the aircraft’s staff.
“The fire likely started from the overhead bin, where we suspect the passenger’s battery caused it to ignite…” stated an Air Busan representative, reflecting on the preliminary assessment of the incident. This incident has drawn attention considering the relatively recent history of similar occurrences involving lithium-ion batteries aboard planes, raising concerns about the safety protocols surrounding passenger baggage.
This incident marks a challenging turn for Air Busan, which until now had enjoyed more than 12 years without major incident involving its flights. The airline, owned by the larger group, has encountered scrutiny as its previously flawless safety record has now been overshadowed by this event.
On the operational side, all flights from Gimhae, excluding those by Air Busan, resumed within hours of the incident. From the 279 flights scheduled, only 8 Air Busan services were canceled, with authorities focusing on the three parking bays close to the fire site which were temporarily closed off for safety assessments and investigation needs.
It is expected the Ministry will implement thorough safety checks on airport facilities to prioritize safety moving forward. A spokesperson noted, “We will thoroughly examine airport facilities to prioritize flight safety and improve any urgent issues during the investigation process.” This commitment to enhanced safety will potentially include broader inquiries about emergency protocols and fire response capabilities of airlines operating within South Korea.
Authorities including the Korea Transportation Safety Authority has been deployed to the scene to conduct extensive investigations, evaluating the response timelines from the fire response teams, as well as Air Busan’s handling of events following the fire’s ignition.
With the investigation still fresh, the focus will remain on the boarding processes passengers undertake as well as how airlines handle baggage, particularly with the increasing prevalence of battery-operated devices. Passengers are encouraged to be vigilant about safety and are urged to report any irregularities aboard during their travels.
The coming days will likely reveal important insights about necessary enhancements at airport operations and protocols, ensuring favorable experiences for passengers and their safety on future flights.