Two live rounds of bullets were discovered on a Korean Air Airbus A330 that was preparing for takeoff from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport to the Philippines’ Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. A passenger found the bullets and alerted the cabin crew. The airplane was taxied back to the gate, and all 230 people onboard were evacuated. Airport police and an anti-terrorism squad searched the plane, and no other dangerous objects were found. The flight resumed almost four hours later after completing the search. The subsequent investigation aims to discover how and why the bullets were aboard the aircraft.
The discovery of the two live bullets on a commercial airline is a concern because, although they do not pose an immediate risk, they contain explosives and can harm others or compromise the flight’s safety. Also, their presence indicates the possibility of the presence of other dangerous devices aboard the airplane, necessitating the search. South Korea has strict firearm regulations that prohibit civilians from possessing firearms. It is therefore unusual for anyone to possess ammunition, let alone bring it onto an airplane. The incident has raised questions about security measures at the airport.
According to the Korea Times, “if it is discovered that airline or airport staff let the bullets slip through due to relaxed screening procedures, they will be held liable for the incident.” The investigation will focus on how the bullets were brought onto the plane and whether there was a security lapse during screening. The airline and the airport will also be held accountable for possible leniency at the in-flight checks or security checkpoints.
The incident has highlighted the importance of screening procedures at airports and airlines to prevent dangerous objects from being brought onboard commercial airplanes. It also illustrates how the safety of passengers and crew is of utmost importance, and any potential threats must be addressed promptly. Korean Air has not released an official statement on the incident, but an investigation is underway to determine the source of the bullets and how they ended up on the aircraft.
This event is not the first of its kind, with numerous incidents in the past involving passengers bringing dangerous objects aboard airplanes. It serves as a reminder that security measures must remain stringent to prevent any potential threats from slipping through the screening process. Although the incident ended without any harm, it raises questions about safety procedures and measures taken to prevent security lapses. The safety of passengers and crew remains the top priority, and it is essential to maintain the highest level of safety measures and standards to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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