Wind rips through as passenger opens flight's emergency exit midair

Seoul: When an Asiana Airlines flight was preparing to touch down on Friday, a passenger opened the emergency exit, the airline reported. It added that the jet landed safely, although some passengers had to be taken to the hospital.

Approximately 200 passengers were on board the Airbus A321-200 as it neared the runway at Daegu International Airport, which is located roughly 240 kilometres (149 miles) southeast of Seoul.

According to the spokesman of the South Korean carrier, a passenger who was sitting close to the emergency exit "opened the door manually by touching the lever" as the aircraft was still around 200 metres (650 feet) above the ground.

According to Asiana, some passengers experienced breathing problems due to the unexpected door opening, and others were brought to a hospital following the landing even though there were no serious injuries or damage.

Yonhap News Agency in South Korea stated that nine passengers were hospitalised.

"The passenger has been taken to the police and is under questioning" to find out why they opened the door, Asiana said.

The video captures the wind blowing through the open door in midair, causing the fabric seatbacks and people's hair to flap wildly while several passengers shout in shock.

Another social media video showed passengers being buffeted by strong wind while seated in the emergency evacuation row adjacent to an open door.

The two male passengers can be seen clutching the armrests and attempting to move away from the door as the wind whips around them. They are both wearing seatbelts.