Asiana SFO crash: 1 dead, 20-30 injured, S. Korean official says

SAN FRANCISCO —  South Korean Deputy Consul General Hong Sung Wok said Asiana Airline officials told him that one person was killed and 20 to 30 people injured in the crash at San Francisco International Airport.

“We are very shocked,” Hong said, speaking with a Times reporter in the arrival area of the international terminal. “We have to take care of this sad situation. We will make all efforts to take care of these families. We also express our sorrows to the victims.”

He said that airline officials told him there were 299 people aboard the plane, with that number possibly including crew members. He said he was told that most people were safe.

Angela Chung Soon Lee, a representative of the Korean American Federation USA, an association of community groups, said a friend had called her to tell her about the plane crash.

Lee, who was also at the airport, said, “We are just looking to see how we can help those here and those in the hospital.”

A law enforcement officials told The Time that at least 48 people aboard the Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 that crashed upon landing Saturday at San Francisco International Airport were treated by medical personnel.

The source, who was involved in the rescue effort, said there was no immediate word on the severity of the injuries or whether there were any fatalities.

Some passengers were taken to hospitals. Tech executive David Eun, who was on the plane, sent out a message on Twitter saying: “Most people are totally calm and trying to let the fire and rescue do their jobs.... Posted updates to let everyone know that majority of passengers seem ok.”

A photo taken by a passenger on the flight shows people on the runway and smoke coming from the aircraft. Other photos show the tail of the plane broken off.

In a brief phone interview, a passenger who didn’t want to give his name told The Times that most passengers were unharmed. “I just want their families to know,” he said. “Most of the people seem OK, and we’re just letting the paramedics do their job.”

San Francisco Fire Department officials told KTVU-TV that injured passengers were taken to the hospital and that there was no immediate word on fatalities. But they stressed that the investigation was continuing. Firefighters put out the fire on the plane, which was destroyed by the crash and subsequent blaze. San Francisco International has been closed until further notice.

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