The door of an Asiana Airlines plane opened in the air shortly before arriving at the airport in the South Korean city of Daegu.

Nine people were taken to hospital due to breathing problems and shock.

Asiana Airlines' Airbus A321 landed safely with its door open at Daegu Airport, but some panicked passengers still required medical attention.

The door release lever was pulled by a 33-year-old man who was sitting next to the emergency exit. He was not drunk, but he could not explain his action. Police said it was “difficult to have a normal conversation” with the man. After the investigation, he will be punished.

In total there were 194 people on board, including 48 children who were flying to the competition. “The children were shaking and crying. Those who were sitting at the exit were most shocked,” the mother of one of the athletes told reporters.