a passenger opens an emergency exit of an airplane in the middle of the landing phase

A passenger on an Asiana Airlines plane opened an emergency exit on Friday, May 26 in the middle of the landing phase, the South Korean company announced to AFP. The latter specified that the aircraft landed without incident, but that passengers were hospitalized.

The incident occurred as the Airbus A321-200, carrying nearly 200 passengers, approached the runway at Daegu International Airport, located about 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul. . The aircraft was still approximately 200 meters from the ground when a passenger seated near the emergency exit “opened the door manually by operating the lever”told AFP the representative of the South Korean company.

Nine people hospitalized

In a short video of the incident released by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the wind can be seen rushing through the open door in mid-flight, the fabric headrests and the passengers’ hair blowing in all directions. the senses, while some cry out. Another video shared on social media shows passengers sitting in the row of the emergency exit, next to the open door, buffeted by strong winds.

The unexpected opening of this door caused breathing difficulties in some passengers, who were taken to hospital after landing, said Asiana Airlines, adding that no serious injuries or major damage are to be deplored. Yonhap reported nine people hospitalized. “The passenger was taken (to the police station) to be questioned as to why he opened the door”underlined the same source.