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Passenger arrested for opening plane door during flight in South Korea
Updated 16:54, 26-May-2023
CGTN
An Asiana Airlines plane is parked as one of the plane's doors suddenly opened at Daegu International Airport in Daegu, South Korea, May 26, 2023. /CFP
An Asiana Airlines plane is parked as one of the plane's doors suddenly opened at Daegu International Airport in Daegu, South Korea, May 26, 2023. /CFP

An Asiana Airlines plane is parked as one of the plane's doors suddenly opened at Daegu International Airport in Daegu, South Korea, May 26, 2023. /CFP

South Korean authorities have detained a passenger after he opened a door of an Asiana Airlines plane shortly before the aircraft landed, the country's transportation ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said police had taken the passenger into custody and were investigating a possible violation of aviation safety laws.

The plane, departed from Jeju Island, was carrying 194 people when the incident happened at around 12:45 p.m. local time.

The aircraft was about 250 meters above ground when the door opened and flight attendants were not able to stop the suspect because the plane was about to land, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing officials.

None of the passengers fell out of the plane or were hurt, but 12 people panicked and showed symptoms of breathing difficulty and some of them were taken to a hospital right after landing.

The suspect, in his 30s, was traveling alone and tight-lipped about why he did so, according to Yonhap, citing police. 

Witnesses said the suspect attempted to jump out after opening the door, said Yonhap.

(With input from agencies)

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