A South Korean navy patrol plane carrying four people crashed on Thursday in the southern city of Pohang, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at 1:43 PM local time, according to a Pohang city government official.
Eyewitnesses reported smoke rising from a mountainous area, where the plane reportedly went down. The South Korean navy issued an official statement confirming that a P-3 patrol aircraft crashed in Pohang earlier this afternoon. Rescue teams, including fire trucks, were promptly dispatched to the scene following reports of the crash and a subsequent explosion.
The navy is actively investigating the cause of the crash and working to ascertain the condition of the four individuals on board. Pohang’s Nambu police station confirmed the crash but did not provide details on possible casualties or injuries at the time.
This incident adds to South Korea’s aviation concerns, following a December crash involving a Jeju Air passenger plane that resulted in the deaths of 179 people out of 181 onboard, marking one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters.
Authorities continue rescue and investigation operations as they seek further information.
