On May 26, 2023, a man was arrested for opening the door of an Asiana Airlines flight landing in South Korea. The incident occurred as Airbus A321-200 jet OZ8124 was landing at Daegu International Airport. All 194 passengers on board survived, and the plane landed safely. However, the doors were left open, causing panic among passengers. Some passengers fainted and others had difficulty breathing, and they were taken to hospital, according to local media reports.
A man in his 30s opened the emergency door while the plane was still 250 meters off the ground. The male passenger reportedly felt suffocated and wanted to get off the plane as soon as possible. According to Yonhap News, the man told police during questioning that he was stressed about losing his job. Witnesses reported that the man tried to jump out of the plane after opening the door.
Passengers onboard the flight spoke of panic as the incident unfolded. One 44-year-old passenger told Yonhap news agency, “People who were near the door fainted one after another, and the flight attendants called the doctor on board over the air, causing chaos.” The state of the man who opened the door was not normal, and a police officer could not question him properly.
Local residents expressed their concerns about the incident’s handling, stating that the man was suffering mentally and had lost his footing. Videos shared on social media showed a gap on the left side of the plane. The incident caused fear and chaos among passengers and crew, leaving them scared and emotional.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support, and the impacts that stress and anxiety can have on individuals. It also highlights the importance of safety procedures and protocols which must be followed at all times, as any lapse in safety can have severe consequences.