Key Highlights:

• An Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire during pre-departure checks at Gimhae International Airport.
• All 176 individuals onboard were safely evacuated; four suffered minor injuries.
• The incident comes less than a month after South Korea's deadliest air disaster.

On January 28, an Air Busan aircraft, an Airbus A321, ignited on the runway at Gimhae International Airport while preparing for a flight to Hong Kong. This alarming incident took place around 10:30 PM local time, before the plane could take off. Emergency services swiftly responded, and it was reported that all 169 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated down emergency slides; fortunately, the evacuation was conducted without significant delay. Fire authorities indicated that initially four individuals were treated for minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and back pain due to the rapid exit.

Eyewitnesses noted hearing unusual cracking sounds before smoke was detected emanating from an overhead compartment. Photos from the scene illustrated the aircraft engulfed in flames, with fire crews arriving shortly thereafter to douse the blaze. This incident is particularly alarming given that it occurred just one month after South Korea experienced its most severe aviation disaster in recent history when a Jeju Air flight tragically crashed, resulting in the loss of 179 lives.

The Air Busan plane, around 17 years old, is part of the larger Asiana Airlines group, which underwent acquisition by Korean Air late last year. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a thorough review of safety measures, including those related to carry-on luggage and the plane’s electrical systems, anticipated.

For ongoing updates on this incident, follow the coverage from BBC, Newsweek, and The Guardian.