Imagine you’re sitting on a plane, minutes from landing, when suddenly, the emergency exit door bursts open. Air whips through the cabin, passengers scream, and chaos unfolds. This isn’t the plot of a disaster movie—it’s what happened on an Asiana Airlines flight to Daegu, South Korea, leaving nearly 200 passengers shaken to their core.
The incident unfolded on May 26, just as the Airbus A321 was preparing to land. A man, later identified only by his surname Lee, pulled the emergency exit handle while the plane was still 700 feet in the air. His reason? He says he felt “uncomfortable” and wanted to get off quickly.
Yes, you read that right.
🇰🇷 | Un pasajero de un avión de Asiana Airlines abrió una puerta de salida de emergencia en pleno vuelo, antes de aterrizar en Corea del Sur. Doce pasajeros fueron hospitalizados con dificultades respiratorias. pic.twitter.com/JM2E8qmLgZ
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) May 26, 2023
Passengers, including several teenage athletes heading to a sporting event, were left clinging to their seats as strong winds swept through the cabin. Videos from the flight show terrified passengers gripping their armrests, their hair and belongings blown around as the door remained partially open. Thankfully, the plane landed safely, but the ordeal wasn’t without its toll.
Twelve passengers were rushed to the hospital with breathing problems and severe ear pain. Emergency responders described the scene as chaotic, with people fainting near the open door and flight attendants desperately calling for doctors.
One passenger described the terrifying moment: “I thought the plane was blowing up. I thought I was going to die like this.”
The mother of a young athlete on board said, “Children quivered and cried in panic. Those sitting near the exit must have been shocked the most.”
Police detained a passenger on an Asiana Airlines flight who opened a door on the plane minutes before it landed in Daegu, South Korea. They said he was ‘mentally struggling’ and could not be questioned https://t.co/CMUDCp38p6 pic.twitter.com/ft4Cb1emFM
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 27, 2023
As for Lee, he was apprehended at Daegu International Airport and now faces charges under the Aviation Security Act. Authorities are struggling to make sense of his actions. According to police, Lee admitted to pulling the lever but initially refused to explain why. When he finally spoke, he revealed he was stressed after recently losing his job and felt overwhelmed during the flight.
“It’s difficult to have a normal conversation with him,” an officer told local media, describing Lee as mentally unwell and unable to answer questions properly.
Meanwhile, Asiana Airlines has set up a claim center to handle complaints and offer support, including medical expenses, to affected passengers. But for those onboard, the emotional scars may take much longer to heal.
This harrowing incident raises a chilling question: How safe are we in the skies when even a single individual’s actions can endanger so many lives?
What would you do in such a situation? Share your thoughts—and this story—with friends.
