South Korean Navy Plane Crash Claims Two Lives

At least two crew members of a South Korean Navy plane have perished following a crash near Pohang, with search efforts ongoing for others.

In a severe aviation accident, a South Korean Navy turboprop aircraft met a tragic end on Thursday, crashing into a hillside just moments after taking off for a training exercise. The incident occurred around 1:50 p.m. local time, when the aircraft was reportedly engaged in marine patrol duties.

The plane was on a routine flight from an airbase in Pohang, located approximately 250 miles southeast of Seoul, when it experienced difficulties. According to military sources, four crew members—two officers and two noncommissioned officers—were aboard at the time of the crash. Tragically, the bodies of two crew members were recovered near the wreckage just hours after the crash, while rescue teams continued their search for the remaining two.

Eyewitness accounts from locals paint a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued. One resident, Kim Hong-gi, recalled a startling experience while he was enjoying a snack. He reported hearing a sputtering noise followed by a loud explosion, prompting him to look towards the smoke rising in the distance. “I’ve never witnessed a plane crash before. I was shocked,” he shared.

As emergency responders rushed to the site, local fire officials coordinated the deployment of helicopters and around 40 firefighters to combat the flames that erupted from the wreckage. The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, with police working diligently to gather information and evaluate safety protocols in military aviation.

Jin Yu Young continues to cover breaking news and significant events in South Korea, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.