South Korea ramps up plane fire probe as Hong Kong contacts relevant authorities
Immigration Department has reached out to Chinese foreign ministry’s arm in Hong Kong, consulate in Busan and Travel Industry Authority
The South Korean government has ramped up its investigation into the cause of a fire that erupted on a Hong Kong-bound Air Busan plane, while the city’s immigration officials have said they are in contact with relevant authorities.
An accident investigation committee under South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a meeting on Thursday morning with dozens of officials to lay out a plan for the probe and fire safety measures, local media said.
The officials also reportedly visited the site to assess the aircraft.
Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, meanwhile, said that it immediately reached out to the office of the commissioner of China’s ministry of foreign affairs in Hong Kong, the Chinese consulate in Busan and the Travel Industry Authority to follow up on the incident.
“The Immigration Department has not received any request for help from Hong Kong residents so far,” it said.
It said it would continue to maintain close contact with relevant authorities and closely monitor the situation, urging any Hong Kong residents who were travelling overseas and needed help to call the department’s 24-hour hotline.
The Airbus A321 was set to fly to Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport in southeastern Busan but the rear section caught fire on Tuesday night.
