An Asiana Airlines passenger who opened an emergency exit mid-flight minutes before landing in Daegu, South Korea, told police he did it because he felt “uncomfortable,” Yonhap news agency reported.

The 30-year-old man told police he opened the door because he “wanted to get off the plane quickly,” according to Yonhap, citing the Daegu Dongbu Police Department. He also told the police that he was stressed because he recently lost his job.

A passenger opened an emergency exit door during a flight in South Korea, forcing the crew to land while it was still open.

Air entered the cabin of an Asiana Airlines plane, slightly injuring 12 people. pic.twitter.com/Nl8HqXeiLb

— Associated Press (@AP) May 26, 2023

Reuters has not yet been able to contact the police department.

The man opened the emergency exit when the plane was about 213 meters above the ground, which caused panic among the passengers.

Nine passengers were taken to the hospital with breathing problems. According to the representative of the fire brigade, they were all released after about two hours.

According to Yonhap, the police plan to arrest the man after the investigation is completed.

Jin Sung Hyun, a former Korean Air cabin security officer, said that to his knowledge this had never happened before, but added that passengers opened emergency exits without permission while the plane was on the ground.

Source: APE-ME, REUTERS